Used car guide

2007 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Toyota RAV-4s, from 2,195 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,195MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,900typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    21.4% All 2007 cars
    11.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 3.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    14.6% All 2007 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.1% of all 2007 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    10.2% All 2007 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.1% of all 2007 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.5× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    8.4% All 2007 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    7.1% All 2007 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2% of all 2007 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

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.3% here, against 7.3% of all 2007 cars. Braking performance: 2.4% here, against 6.3% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    36% 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
    32% 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
    16% 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
    14% 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%
20062,562Suspension 56%
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 2007 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score