Used Toyota Avensis Verso 2003 - 2009 reliability review

Name: Used Toyota Avensis Verso 2003 - 2009
Rating: 3
Author: Stuart Milne

Terribly bland and not as roomy as many rivals

How we test cars

What should I look for in a used Toyota Avensis Verso?

Toyota has a reputation for building cars you can rely on, and this is fully deserved. The annual JD Power survey shows that Toyota customers are among the most satisfied with their cars and the company has consistently been among the top five makes in our reliability surveys.

Given the relatively high repair bills you face at franchised dealers this is especially welcome, but can you expect any problems with the Avensis Verso?

Well, cars built between February 2001 and April 2002 were recalled because there was a chance the inlet pipe on their fuel tanks could corrode and leak, so double check the service history if the car you're interested in was affected.

Avensis petrol engines have also been known to drink oil and there are a few reported cases of early gearbox failure. Generally, though, little goes wrong mechanically and the interior ages well because it's built from hard-wearing materials.

Tips & Advice

Check for outstanding recalls

Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy

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About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.