Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
50% of the 30 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 56/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
30
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections56/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10050%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 30 used Toyota Avalons we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 56/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
60%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
47%
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
40%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
37%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
37%
Share of inspected Toyota Avalons where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 10%
Good 40%
Mediocre 20%
Poor 30%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
87%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
30%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
More on Toyota
RAV4
56 cars · 80% good
Prius
65 cars · 68% good
Tacoma
53 cars · 65% good
Highlander
41 cars · 64% good
Corolla
117 cars · 62% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Camry
117 cars · 55% good
Tundra
57 cars · 55% good
4Runner
70 cars · 47% good
Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.
Straight from recent Toyota Avalon reports
2016 Toyota Avalon · 141k mi — flagged: oil leaks, tire pressure monitoring system, boots. Inspected Oct 21.
2007 Toyota Avalon · 61k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Oct 14.
The bottom line
These cars wear their history on the paint: 87% have a repainted panel, yet structural repair never showed up, so a respray is not an automatic walk-away if the structure is clean. The engine is the real filter. Oil leaks hit 60% of them, fuel trim runs out of range on nearly half, and hydraulic steering leaks plus active codes stack on top. Scan before you talk money, and do not trust a quiet dash — codes get cleared often enough to hide trouble. If oil, trim, or live codes are there, price the repair or leave. Tires are a chip, not the reason to buy.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Avalon?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (60%), fuel trim out of range (47%), fluid leaks (40%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 30% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Toyota Avalon? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 30 inspections · updated Oct 22, 2026
