New Member Looking To Buy Avensis Estate

[Strebord]

Hi,

New member here who is looking at buying an 11 plate 2.0 d4-d T2 estate with less than 50k miles on the clock and just wondering if there is anything in particular I need to be aware of?

I've been driving my current 53 plate Octavia 1.9 tdi for over 10 years now and she's starting to fall to bits so need something newer. The Occy has never missed a beat and is still on her original clutch and exhaust despite 130k miles on the clock.

Growing family means something a bit bigger is needed and the Avensis seems to fit the bill so just wanting to be aware of any potential issues.

[Heidfirst]

Hi & welcome to the forum,

Afaik there are no common major issues with an Avensis of that age/mileage (this of course doesn't mean that nobody has ever had an issue, just that they are not common). Potential issues are any that can affect a modern Euro V turbodiesel so DPF, DMF, injectors etc. - these engines are more complex than your old 1.9 (or the equivalent Toyota diesel of that age) so tbh are not as bulletproof as there is more to go wrong but that is true of any manufacturer.

1 additional issue is the electronic parking brake. Apart from the button not being placed in the best of places there have been a few reports of actuator failures (due to water ingress iirc, same as on VAG) & these are a £1k replacement.

Expect 2nd gear to be a bit notchy to engage going both up & down until warm.

It'll never be a sporting drive but it's flexible, reliable & pretty cheap to run.

If you don't already know:

for cars registered in June 2010 or later Toyota UK's warranty increased from 3 years/60k miles to 5 years/100k subject to being serviced according to Toyota's schedule & parts quality standards. The warranty can be extended for a fee up until 10 years (there is actually a 2 year for the price of 1 offer on at the moment).

At the end of 2011/start of 2012 the facelift model arrived in dealers.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Darren - welcome to Toyota Owners Club

[Strebord]

Hi & welcome to the forum,

Afaik there are no common major issues with an Avensis of that age/mileage (this of course doesn't mean that nobody has ever had an issue, just that they are not common). Potential issues are any that can affect a modern Euro V turbodiesel so DPF, DMF, injectors etc. - these engines are more complex than your old 1.9 (or the equivalent Toyota diesel of that age) so tbh are not as bulletproof as there is more to go wrong but that is true of any manufacturer.

1 additional issue is the electronic parking brake. Apart from the button not being placed in the best of places there have been a few reports of actuator failures (due to water ingress iirc, same as on VAG) & these are a £1k replacement.

Expect 2nd gear to be a bit notchy to engage going both up & down until warm.

It'll never be a sporting drive but it's flexible, reliable & pretty cheap to run.

If you don't already know:

for cars registered in June 2010 or later Toyota UK's warranty increased from 3 years/60k miles to 5 years/100k subject to being serviced according to Toyota's schedule & parts quality standards. The warranty can be extended for a fee up until 10 years (there is actually a 2 year for the price of 1 offer on at the moment).

At the end of 2011/start of 2012 the facelift model arrived in dealers.

Thanks for the response. I'll go and have a look at it over the weekend. Do these have a chain or cam belt?

[Heidfirst]

chain

[Strebord]

Thanks. Any problem with the chains? Are the engines the same as fitted in the previous generation?

[Heidfirst]

Chains are fine.

They are still 1AD series engines as in ~2006 > T25 Avensis but with modified parts to remedy the potential head/head gasket issue that affected some. If you get a facelift T27 (probably a 12 plate> although mine is on a 61) the 2.0 D4D had significant tweaking to markedly improve mpg & emissions (so lower RFL).

[Strebord]

The one I'm looking at is the older engine in an 11 plate car. The 12 plate ones are a hefty jump in price from what I've seen

[Strebord]

Went to have a look today but it had been resprayed on the rear 1/4 panel and the bumper didn't fit properly so decided not to bother. Thanks for the help and advice