Toyota RAV4 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Toyota RAV4, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 294,350 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994
What usually goes wrong with a Toyota RAV4?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2006–2012 · Manual gearbox
Notchy gearbox and clutch problems
The manual gearbox can be stiff and notchy, some cars wouldn't go into first or second, and clutches can give trouble.
At the viewing: Try every gear from a standstill and on the move, and check the clutch bites smoothly.
- Cars registered 2006–2012 · Diesel
EGR valve (diesel)
The diesel's EGR valve can be a problem.
At the viewing: Look for a smooth idle and clean pull, with no warning lights.
- Cars registered 2006–2012 · All engines
Warped brake discs and leaky door seals
Brake discs can warp, especially after heavy towing, and door seals can let water in.
At the viewing: Feel for juddering through the pedal when braking, and check the carpets for damp.
- Cars registered 2019–2025 · All versions
Minor electronic glitches and trim rattles
What Car? rates it exceptionally dependable (98.3%), with a few owners reporting minor electronic glitches and interior rattles.
At the viewing: Test the screens and listen for rattles on a rough road.
- Cars registered 2013–2018 · All engines
Rattles and vibration
Some owners report rattles that feel like a failed dual-mass flywheel but are usually the exhaust or a manifold cover.
At the viewing: Listen at idle and pulling away.
Source: Auto Express: used Toyota RAV4 (Mk4, 2013-2018) review
- Cars registered 2013–2018 · All engines
Tyre pressure warning
Tyre pressure warnings usually mean the system wasn’t reset after new tyres were fitted.
At the viewing: Make sure no tyre warning shows.
Source: Auto Express: used Toyota RAV4 (Mk4, 2013-2018) review
Common Toyota RAV4 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Suspension arm
up to 5.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Shock absorbers
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 3.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Sub-frame
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Toyota RAV4 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 did best (78% passed first time, 11 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2018 did worst (85%, 2 points above all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 97% | 92% +5 | 290 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 94% | 89% +5 | 11,054 |
| 2021 | 92% | 87% +5 | 24,928 |
| 2020 | 92% | 87% +5 | 35,738 |
| 2019 | 91% | 85% +6 | 26,850 |
| 2018 | 85% | 83% +2 | 21,851 |
| 2017 | 84% | 80% +4 | 23,450 |
| 2016 | 84% | 77% +7 | 22,888 |
| 2015 | 82% | 74% +8 | 16,136 |
| 2014 | 80% | 70% +10 | 14,166 |
| 2013 | 78% | 67% +11 | 13,499 |
| 2012 | 75% | 64% +11 | 4,697 |
| 2011 | 72% | 62% +10 | 1,453 |
| 2010 | 70% | 60% +10 | 1,393 |
| 2009 | 63% | 59% +4 | 4,974 |
| 2008 | 62% | 57% +5 | 10,094 |
| 2007 | 61% | 57% +4 | 10,125 |
| 2006 | 60% | 56% +4 | 7,052 |
| 2005 | 65% | 57% +8 | 10,070 |
| 2004 | 63% | 57% +6 | 9,952 |
| 2003 | 61% | 57% +4 | 8,040 |
| 2002 | 61% | 58% +3 | 5,797 |
| 2001 | 61% | 60% +1 | 3,040 |
| 2000 | 62% | 61% +1 | 1,443 |
| 1999 | 62% | 63% -1 | 1,450 |
| 1998 | 59% | 65% -6 | 1,732 |
| 1997 | 56% | 65% -9 | 857 |
| 1996 | 56% | 66% -10 | 709 |
| 1995 | 58% | 67% -9 | 514 |
| 1994 | 56% | 67% -11 | 108 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota RAV4
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the Toyota RAV4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the Toyota RAV4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Toyota RAV4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Toyota RAV4?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score