Toyota Avensis Tourer Road Test Reports and Car Reviews

Toyota Avensis Tourer 2.0 D4D T3-S 2003

Bought second-hand about 18 months ago. I can say that the car is extremely practical, cheap to run (50 mpg) cheap to insure (group 8) and is well equipped (SatNav as standard). The bad news is that it has been more problematic than the 1997 Vauxhall Vectra Tourer that I had for the ten years previously. Despite the fact it has a full service history (for now) I have had to replace both front shock absorbers (£250), Front Wheel Bearing (£80), Headlight Assist - known design fault (£65 for non original unit, plus you have to remove the bumper and headlight to change a bulb) and it has a dead spot at between 2000 and 2600 revs when warm. I have owned two cars for almost ten years before changing them but I don’t see myself owning this one for more than three years (regardless of credit crunch). I do like the Avensis , but I must say that Toyota’s reputation for reliability has to be questioned.