Used car guide

2000 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Toyota RAV-4s, from 213 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 213 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

213MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    17.8% All 2000 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 4.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2000 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    19% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Toyota RAV-4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20141,323Tyres 31%
20131,375Brakes 31%
20121,720Suspension 41%
20113,076Suspension 44%
20103,315Suspension 50%
20091,418Suspension 52%
20081,461Suspension 56%
20072,195Suspension 58%
20062,562Suspension 56%
20052,537Brakes 46%
20042,057Brakes 46%
20031,555Suspension 45%
20021,090Lights and electrics 43%
2001633Brakes 47%
1999110Suspension 43%
1998128Suspension 44%
1997108Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score