Used car guide

2013 Toyota RAV-4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Toyota RAV-4s, from 1,375 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,375MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Toyota RAV-4s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    10.6% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system19.5× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    3.9% All 2013 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV-4
    4.4% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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

Shock absorbers: 2.3% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars. Engine oil leaks: 2.2% here, against 5.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Toyota RAV-4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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
    15% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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%
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%
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 2013 Toyota RAV-4s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score