Used Avensis Buyers - Beware!

[78Portellen]

Good evening.

AVENSIS 2.2 D-CAT T180 2007 145K

I've owned this car for just over a year now. Having owned loads of used cars, this was my first Toyota which I bought on the strength of their solid reputation for reliability. 

I bought it privately and after two weeks, the Head Gasket failed costing £1800 to repair.

Sod's law I thought and took it on the chin... but then I've also been dogged with WHITE SMOKE problems - which I later found to be a fairly common problem (as was HG failure).

It's been a long, arduous and expensive journey ever since. The car has spent more time in the pits than on my drive. I've tried all kinds to fix the white smoke problem, including DPF removal and clean, ECU update, Terraclean, premium fuel, in-fuel cleaners, EGR refurb, you name it - but no joy whatsoever. In that time I've posted a few pleas for help under the Avensis forum with disappointingly little feedback or suggestions.  

As a last resort, I took it to a diesel injector specialist today who at last gave me a proper diagnosis - faulty 5th injector! It needs to be replaced, but because it's clogging the DPF, the repair job will mean the DPF will also need to be refurbished. If that wasn't all, the diagnostic also showed a pressure differential in the DPF which points to a faulty pressure sensor.

Quote for the job = £2406.18 + VAT... and that's not even dealer prices! 

Suffice to say my patience has run out and I'll be moving the car on - spares or repair. My wallet just can't take any more pummelling. Have to say that I've owned some dodgy cars in the past (including the awful MG ZT) but nothing compares to this heap of junk. I will of course drop Mr Toyota a line to congratulate them on my learning a valuable lesson - don't buy their cars ever again, or a modern diesel for that matter. The complicated emissions jiggery pokery by manufacturers is just not worth it. 

New buyers - you have been warned!

I'm already browsing the classifieds...

Farewell!

[Heidfirst]

The youngest T25 will now be over 8 years old, even the T27s fitted with engines that theoretically (only a very small % do) could develop the head/head gasket issue are approaching 8 (supposedly fixed by end of  Feb 2009 production).

I certainly wouldn't recommend anybody to buy an 8 year old DPF-equipped common rail diesel from any manufacturer let alone a high mileage one unless it can be proven that it has had lots of replacements (DPF, injectors, possibly clutch/DMF etc.). The way to run a DPF-equipped CRD is longer journeys under a manufacturer's warranty.

Have fun wherever you end up, bye!