Used car guide

2003 Toyota RAV4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota RAV4s, from 2,273 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,273MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota RAV4s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    23.7% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 4.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    14.1% All 2003 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    9.5% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.1% of all 2003 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks3.2× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    5.8% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2003 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.

  • Suspension arm2.1× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    7.4% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.4% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    44% 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
    40% 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
    27% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

Looking at a Toyota RAV4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202210,279Tyres 19%
202112,327Tyres 22%
202011,662Tyres 23%
20198,888Tyres 25%
20187,371Tyres 29%
20177,832Tyres 26%
20167,645Tyres 26%
20155,347Tyres 27%
20144,631Tyres 28%
20134,414Brakes 31%
20121,541Suspension 35%
20091,497Suspension 54%
20083,022Suspension 58%
20072,978Suspension 57%
20062,031Suspension 52%
20053,072Brakes 44%
20042,976Brakes 47%
20021,603Brakes 46%
2001854Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota RAV4s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score