Toyota RAV4 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Toyota RAV4 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 125,264 UK MOT tests of the Toyota RAV4 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (8.1×); shock absorbers (a slightly worn bush) (7.2×); tyre pressure monitoring system (malfunctioning or obviously inoperative) (5.6×). The most common reasons a Toyota RAV4 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Toyota RAV4
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Toyota RAV4 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 0.3% | 11× | 7,461 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6.5% | 0.8% | 8.1× | 1,414 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.3% | 0.6% | 7.2× | 950 |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 3.9% | 0.7% | 5.6× | 831 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 1998–2000 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 9.5% | 1.9% | 5× | 347 |
| Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output | Advisory | 2000–2002 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 9.1% | 2.3% | 4× | 881 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.7% | 2.8% | 3.1× | 1,348 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 8.7% | 3.7% | 2.4× | 3,351 |
Toyota RAV4 by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6,823 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (2.5%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 14,292 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5,678 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 1,662 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 479 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
Toyota RAV4 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 512 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.2×) |
| 1998 | 865 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.6×) |
| 1999 | 741 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5×) |
| 2000 | 898 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.2×) |
| 2001 | 2,092 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4×) |
| 2002 | 3,757 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.1×) |
| 2003 | 5,230 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.7×) |
| 2004 | 6,557 | Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.2×) |
| 2005 | 7,276 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.3×) |
| 2006 | 6,277 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.4×) |
| 2007 | 6,704 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.6×) |
| 2008 | 5,484 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.3×) |
| 2009 | 3,464 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.3×) |
| 2010 | 4,126 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.5×) |
| 2011 | 3,869 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.8×) |
| 2012 | 3,460 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.6×) |
| 2013 | 6,085 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2×) |
| 2014 | 6,216 | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.6×) |
| 2015 | 5,521 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.2×) |
| 2016 | 7,721 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (8.2×) |
| 2017 | 7,934 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (11×) |
| 2018 | 7,425 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.9×) |
| 2019 | 9,394 | Nothing stands out |
| 2020 | 12,357 | Nothing stands out |
| 2021 | 553 | Nothing stands out |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Toyota RAV4?
In 125,264 UK MOT tests of the Toyota RAV4 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (8.1×); shock absorbers (a slightly worn bush) (7.2×); tyre pressure monitoring system (malfunctioning or obviously inoperative) (5.6×). The most common reasons a Toyota RAV4 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn).
Why do Toyota RAV4s fail the MOT?
Across 125,264 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Toyota RAV4 were position lamp (not working) (7.9% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.8% of tests); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (2.9% of tests).
At what mileage do Toyota RAV4 problems start?
The clearest Toyota RAV4-specific issue, pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2016–2018 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Toyota RAV4 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 125,264 tests of the Toyota RAV4. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.