Used car guide

2005 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Toyota RAV-4s, from 2,537 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,537MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    8.9% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

  • Shock absorbers1.7× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    11.7% All 2005 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Transmission oil leaks2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    3.5% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Diesel smoke emissions2.6× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    2.1% All 2005 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.9% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.4% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    46% 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
    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
    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
    14% 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
    13% 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%
20042,057Suspension 46%
20031,555Suspension 45%
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 2005 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score