Used car guide

2012 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Toyota RAV-4s, from 1,720 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,720MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,300typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    10% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    5.5% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar links8.7× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    2.6% All 2012 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    2% All 2012 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.8% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Ball joint: 1.2% here, against 5.6% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    30% 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
    26% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    5% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20141,323Tyres 31%
20131,375Brakes 31%
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%
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 2012 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score