Used car guide

2007 Toyota RAV4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Toyota RAV4s, from 2,978 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,978MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,500typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Toyota RAV4s than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    21.4% All 2007 cars
    11.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, 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 RAV4
    14.5% All 2007 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, 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 mountings2.1× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    9.6% All 2007 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, 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 joints2.1× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    7.1% 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.

  • Suspension arm1.8× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    7.1% All 2007 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2007 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

Engine oil leaks: 6.3% here, against 13.5% of all 2007 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.3% here, against 7.3% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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
    35% 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
    31% 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
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    15% 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 RAV4?

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

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%
20062,031Suspension 52%
20053,072Brakes 44%
20042,976Brakes 47%
20032,273Suspension 45%
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 2007 Toyota RAV4s registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score