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TOYOTA RAV 4 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,287 MOT tests from 128 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every TOYOTA RAV 4 has the same fault.

TOYOTA RAV 4's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 545/999. The score was calculated from the average of every TOYOTA RAV 4 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

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Check the reliability of your Toyota Rav 4

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Toyota Rav 4 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2014664/999Good104,719 miles1,142 vehicles
Diesel2012622/999Good110,840 miles1,117 vehicles
Diesel2010566/999Above average104,900 miles1,163 vehicles
Diesel2007489/999Average78,347 miles671 vehicles
Diesel2003489/999Average79,624 miles1,427 vehicles
Petrol2003517/999Above average95,939 miles1,173 vehicles
Diesel2002503/999Above average83,805 miles927 vehicles
Petrol2002523/999Above average86,204 miles1,552 vehicles
Petrol2001534/999Above average83,939 miles1,836 vehicles

How reliable is the TOYOTA RAV 4?

Based on 2,287 MOT tests from 128 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

128

MOT tests

2,287

Pass rate

81.4%

Median mileage

110,482 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every TOYOTA RAV 4 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 526 out of 999.

Common TOYOTA RAV 4 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 324 advisory comments and 20 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 178 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 142 advisory comments and 7 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 78 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 35 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 21 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 13 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (2.7.3)

TOYOTA RAV 4 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
201466982.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20131316088.8%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20121622685%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20111931079.4%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20101830979.3%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009610976.1%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008611780.3%Corrosion, Tyre wear
2007715080%Coil spring issues, Corrosion
2006715277.6%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20051125182.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2004511480.7%Brake disc wear, Exhaust
2003512082.5%Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used TOYOTA RAV 4

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Buying a TOYOTA RAV 4?

Common problems tell you what can affect TOYOTA RAV 4s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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