Used car guide

2002 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Toyota RAV-4s, from 1,090 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,090MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    24.9% All 2002 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    12.7% All 2002 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.9× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    8.8% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    8.1% All 2002 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    5.2% All 2002 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.4% here, against 8.3% of all 2002 cars. Track rod ends: 1.8% here, against 5.8% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    42% 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.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

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%
20042,057Suspension 46%
20031,555Suspension 45%
2001633Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score