Used car guide

2003 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota RAV-4s, from 1,555 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,555MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,300typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    21.2% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 4.4% of all 2003 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 pads1.9× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    12.5% All 2003 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.5% of all 2003 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 joints2.8× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    8.9% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.1% of all 2003 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 arm2.1× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    7.5% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.

  • Engine warning light1.9× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    5% All 2003 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.4% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.4% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    29% 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
    15% 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%
20021,090Suspension 43%
2001633Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score