Used car guide

2010 Toyota RAV4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Toyota RAV4s, from 441 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 441 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

441MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,800typical miles a year
39%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2010 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    32% 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
    28% 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
    24% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% 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
    6% 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
2023251Tyres 7%
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%
2011470Suspension 39%
20091,497Suspension 54%
20083,022Suspension 58%
20072,978Suspension 57%
20062,031Suspension 52%
20053,072Suspension 44%
20042,976Brakes 47%
20032,273Suspension 45%
20021,603Suspension 46%
2001854Brakes 45%
2000405Suspension 44%
1999403Suspension 45%
1998485Suspension 42%
1997241Suspension 45%
1996180Suspension 43%
1995135Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Toyota RAV4s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score