Buying a used Toyota Avensis

[Shid786]

Hi Everyone

I am thinking of upgrading from my Toyota Corrolla 1.4 2006 model to a Toyota Avensis as need more power and comfort when taking the family out on days out. I would be very grateful if present or past owners of the Avensis can tell me pros and cons of the Avensis especially on petrol or diesel models as I am not sure which one to go for. I do approximately 12,000 to £13,000 and its normally a motorway run of 28 miles in total to and from work. My budget is £5000.

[2009joe]

3 minutes ago, Shid786 said:

Hi Everyone

I am thinking of upgrading from my Toyota Corrolla 1.4 2006 model to a Toyota Avensis as need more power and comfort when taking the family out on days out. I would be very grateful if present or past owners of the Avensis can tell me pros and cons of the Avensis especially on petrol or diesel models as I am not sure which one to go for. I do approximately 12,000 to £13,000 and its normally a motorway run of 28 miles in total to and from work. My budget is £5000.

well tbh i have a 2014 toyota avensis 2.0 d4d 1ADFTV and its  one of the last engines before they changed them to the bmw engine .i find no problems with it yet its got about 56k on it and i got it with 38k 3 years ago. i dont travel far but i hear that with not much driving the dpf could cause bother but i have never came across that yet but im sure will happen some time just not sure what way it will go. i think maybe a petrol honda crv maybe better as they dont give bother and dont have that dreaded dpf issues .anything newer from 2014 on got dpf so tbh if buying older you getting yourself into the higher car tax problem .but way i think of that to that if the car tax is 160 quid on those older cars and you had it for 5 or 6 years its still cheaper than fixing the dreaded dpf problems 

[avensis_2018]

Nothing to compare moving from corolla to avensis and there is no way back. Good luck.

[Willss]

If you tow ever go for diesel (pre BMW). Otherwise petrol can be nearly as efficient and with likely better reliability. No turbo, no dpf etc. We've averaged 12k miles per year and very glad we went petrol (bought new as no nearly new available at that time although could have had low mileage diesel used). 

I have auris (similar to corolla) and avensis estates. Avensis has much better rear leg room, larger floor area in boot (although boot volume figures suggest auris has more capacity due to greater height), avensis feels more solid and better built. Avensis is not as good on bumpy rural roads prefers cruising. Avensis is boring but very comfortable and reliable (so far)! A better quality/spec car than older corolla/auris.

Personally I'd go petrol as new as possible and make sure it has full recorded history. Not easy to find 2nd hand though in decent condition at sensible price.  I recently saw a near identical car to ours (same spec and age) on autotrader (admittedly with only 12k miles) for more than we paid for ours new 6 years ago. Madness!

[avensis_2018]

avensis its a better car then the corolla in everything. i have also today corolla 2019, had before corolla 2013 also 2007 before was 2003 ... last year i bought 2018 after i had avensis 2010, why they stop in 2018 ?!

[Roker]

After owning an Avensis 1.8 petrol for 13 yr I can only praise this car, it never failed a MOT, it averages 40mpg and does not use a drop of oil at over 250000 km. I never had to replace any suspension parts  the reason I got rid of it is the boot opening was too small to take my wife's mobility scooter. So  I purchased a Corolla Estate, I hope this gives me the same service with their new engine design. 

I did however use the best oil and change every 6,000 mile

 

 

[TonyHSD]

£5000 budget does not give a lots of options these days.  
Check websites what can offer.
Used Avensis is very tricky buy especially those estates with Diesel engines, the reason is simple, been ex taxi, ph or other business cars with crazy miles and use, some perhaps clocked mileage too. 
Just these things to be aware of. 
Good luck 

[Fers]

10 hours ago, avensis_2018 said:

avensis its a better car then the corolla in everything. i have also today corolla 2019, had before corolla 2013 also 2007 before was 2003 ... last year i bought 2018 after i had avensis 2010, why they stop in 2018 ?!

From what heard before, Toyota stopped producing Avensis models in favor of Camry, as Camry is more popular than Avensis.

[2009joe]

8 hours ago, Roker said:

After owning an Avensis 1.8 petrol for 13 yr I can only praise this car, it never failed a MOT, it averages 40mpg and does not use a drop of oil at over 250000 km. I never had to replace any suspension parts  the reason I got rid of it is the boot opening was too small to take my wife's mobility scooter. So  I purchased a Corolla Estate, I hope this gives me the same service with their new engine design. 

I did however use the best oil and change every 6,000 mile

 

 

so quick question what is the best oil to get i started to use genuine toyota oil for thr car from the dealer .i used to use this oil from my motorfactors called gemoil and tbh i heard its no good wrecks engines 

[Roker]

I was using Castrol Magnatec until the local dealers stopped stocking it because of price. I then used Mobil 1

[2009joe]

32 minutes ago, Roker said:

I was using Castrol Magnatec until the local dealers stopped stocking it because of price. I then used Mobil 1

o tbh thats one oil that i dont think by the sounds of it i would not like to put in any car magnatec oil you dont want oil sticking into any small ports and with different temps clogging up things . 

[avensis_2018]

Doesnt matter the name, need to be good qulity known brand syntetic, mine oil change every 6000miles, with 0w20 runing like new.

[TonyHSD]

I use exclusively  Petronas syntium 7000 0w20 in my hybrid since 2017 and have done a lots of miles, 200000 to be precise and  I like this oil. , personally tested in super hot weather 40C° and very cold -12C° , no issues at all, and when the car was younger no oil consumption even at these extreme temperatures. 

[peter.ling24@gmail.com]

Hi, I have a 2005 D4D 2.2. From new, it’s had 5/30 Mobil 3000 formula P engine oil. It’s never had anything else. Always a new oil filter too. Would recommend. That’s what Toyota put in it when I bought it.

[2009joe]

1 hour ago, peter.ling24@gmail.com said:

Hi, I have a 2005 D4D 2.2. From new, it’s had 5/30 Mobil 3000 formula P engine oil. It’s never had anything else. Always a new oil filter too. Would recommend. That’s what Toyota put in it when I bought it.

where do you get this oil at i must start using it or maybe stick to my dealer genuine toyota oil and filter 

 

i came across this also 

Mobil Super 3000 X1 Formula FE 5W-30 is intended primarily to meet the requirements of Ford 

[m456an]

The EPB was updated in 2014. But these cars go much higher then your budget. Your budget goes towards 2010 for petrol. But if you do a lot of miles, then the dpf may be ok. To keep close to your budget you will have to look at diesel this is 2016 diesel at £5500 but car tax is only £35. Much cheaper then mine which is £290 pre 2005 is £360!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139629159?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=&body-type=&colour=&fuel-type=&include-delivery-option=on&make=Toyota&model=Avensis&postcode=B44 0pl&price-from=5000&transmission=&year-to=2023&fromsra

It has done a few miles but it is quite new, and you don't need to worry about a turbo or epb failing. Though it is £500 over your budget. Maybe in a few months it will fall to £5000.

 

I think they do delivery.

[MrAurisT]

Hi, I bought a 2010 petrol 1.8TR (estate) a few years back, excellent car and can highly recommend, as economical as the diesel and less complex (clutches, no turbo, emissions add-ons etc). Avoid the BMW diesel engines at all costs.

[avensis_2018]

I have also order from Amazon oil motor in my garage for the next 4/5 oil changing . ... i tought im the only crazy here ...

[Roker]

7 hours ago, avensis_2018 said:

I have also order from amazon oil motor in my garage for the next 4/5 oil changing . ... i tought im the only crazy here ...

Don't stock up too much, if it goes off in your engine in 6 month,  it goes off in your garage as well

[2009joe]

14 hours ago, m456an said:

The EPB was updated in 2014. But these cars go much higher then your budget. Your budget goes towards 2010 for petrol. But if you do a lot of miles, then the dpf may be ok. To keep close to your budget you will have to look at diesel this is 2016 diesel at £5500 but car tax is only £35. Much cheaper then mine which is £290 pre 2005 is £360!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139629159?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=&body-type=&colour=&fuel-type=&include-delivery-option=on&make=Toyota&model=Avensis&postcode=B44 0pl&price-from=5000&transmission=&year-to=2023&fromsra

It has done a few miles but it is quite new, and you don't need to worry about a turbo or epb failing. Though it is £500 over your budget. Maybe in a few months it will fall to £5000.

 

I think they do delivery.

if i were u id be staying away from that 2016 one as they come with the bmw engine and we all know what they are like .. bang 

[m456an]

Yeah don't buy the diesel, sorry for recommending a car with a BMW engine. AS POINTED OUT BY OTHER COMMENTS. 

So forget my previous recommendation. This is my updated 2.0 recommendation:

https://www.midlandstradecentreltd.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-ct-200h-1-8-advance-cvt-euro-5-ss-5dr-birmingham-202309051578777

I know it is not Avensis but Lexus CT 200H. I know it is £2000 over your budget. But I believe Toyota Hybrids are made in Japan, though I could be wrong.

Car tax is £0.00 with added 10% inflation it is £0.00. But a 10 year old hybrid may be needing a new hybrid Battery which could cost a few thousand. These batteries are pretty heavy so savings may not be as high as you will imagine. Hybrid cars are more complex and you may lose any savings over petrol with the higher insurance costs. According to Scotty on YT any Green savings may be lost due to the resources needed to build these very heavy batteries.

So maybe an old Avensis that is pre-EPB could be the best option?

[avensis_2018]

The ct200 its a small car, also heavy because of the Battery under the back seat and you can feel its heavy mostly when you drive on up hills avensis has space and quicker drive feeling.

[mikejbry]

2009 Toyota Avensis Estate 2.2 D4D D-CAT 177bhp (2AD-FHV) owner here, my personal opinion is do not buy a toyota diesel with this engine.  

 

We bought our car just over 2 years ago with 75k on the clock, Just before it hit 90k my wife had a break down coming home from work, E stop came up on the dash, smoke and it refused to move.  Got it towed to my friendly mechanic who has been having a mare with it.

Loads of fault codes, running on 3 cyclinders etc, but the bottom line is:

DPF got so hot due to blockage, repeated addition of fuel by the 5th injector that the DPF effectively over heated and fused itself together to completely block the exhaust, having knock on effects up stream, it has destroyed all 4 injectors to varying degrees, needs a new DPF, ££££££££. 

Currently trying to source injectors, I am lucky it is with a family friend.  My mechanic has been researching like mad and spoken to Toyota mechanic in doing so, that Toyota mech has never repaired cars that have had these problems, they apparently quote for a new DPF, new injectors, new Turbo etc, with a quote approaching £8000 which these days with the cars out of warranty, the car inevitibly gets scrapped and they move on. 

 

I however am trying to get ours back on the road....

[2009joe]

10 hours ago, mikejbry said:

2009 Toyota Avensis Estate 2.2 D4D D-CAT 177bhp (2AD-FHV) owner here, my personal opinion is do not buy a toyota diesel with this engine.  

 

We bought our car just over 2 years ago with 75k on the clock, Just before it hit 90k my wife had a break down coming home from work, E stop came up on the dash, smoke and it refused to move.  Got it towed to my friendly mechanic who has been having a mare with it.

Loads of fault codes, running on 3 cyclinders etc, but the bottom line is:

DPF got so hot due to blockage, repeated addition of fuel by the 5th injector that the DPF effectively over heated and fused itself together to completely block the exhaust, having knock on effects up stream, it has destroyed all 4 injectors to varying degrees, needs a new DPF, ££££££££. 

Currently trying to source injectors, I am lucky it is with a family friend.  My mechanic has been researching like mad and spoken to Toyota mechanic in doing so, that Toyota mech has never repaired cars that have had these problems, they apparently quote for a new DPF, new injectors, new Turbo etc, with a quote approaching £8000 which these days with the cars out of warranty, the car inevitibly gets scrapped and they move on. 

 

I however am trying to get ours back on the road....

thats crazy thats the worst with those dpf u never know until its to late pity there was no way to check what way the dpf is like to keep a eye on it . is it possible to find out the values on techstream to know when a dpf is on its way out as im wondering is it a good idea to map the car and do away with the dam dpf . when your car was getting blocked  by chance did you notice any loss in power. im one of those guys that dont cover big miles at all .i half thinking to sell mine for the case of the dpf and the dam push button handbreak. but the car is going so well and its a great spec car also.im not one of those guys who gets rid of cars that often i normally if get a good one fresh one i keep it for a really long time 

[mikejbry]

It's my wifes car unfortunately, I notice minor changes quickly, but she only tells me when things are broken.... She says she was driving along a dual carriage way when the dash lit up, smoke, E stop slowed her down, engine ran awfully then died etc. 

The DPF won't be an issue again.... I have also just sourced some new injectors now, so fingers crossed this gets our car back on the road.

Truth be told, if the used car market wasn't obscene I would likely throw in the towel, but £3 to 4k literally gets you what £2k did 3 years ago, I am not willing to pay £3-4k for my usual £2k run around from several years ago!  Then again if this was my car I'd be replacing it with a banger thats for sure, but my wife hates change so I am forced to get something half decent.