Used car guide

2006 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Toyota RAV-4s, from 2,562 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,562MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.4× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    13.2% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.6% of all 2006 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.

  • Sub-frame2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    14.1% All 2006 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    14.6% All 2006 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.9% of all 2006 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.

  • Suspension arm2.6× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    9.9% All 2006 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions5.1× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    4.6% All 2006 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.7% of all 2006 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

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.5% here, against 7.6% of all 2006 cars. Brake lights: 1.1% here, against 5.9% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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
    40% 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
    35% 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
    30% 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
    18% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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%
20052,537Brakes 46%
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 2006 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score