Toyota RAV4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Toyota RAV4 car check
Is the Toyota RAV4 reliable? We analysed 1,827,031 real MOT tests across 166,014 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Toyota RAV4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Toyota RAV4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota RAV4.
Toyota RAV4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Toyota RAV4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Toyota RAV4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Toyota RAV4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Toyota RAV4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Toyota RAV4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Toyota RAV4 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Toyota RAV4 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Toyota RAV4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Toyota RAV4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Toyota RAV4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota RAV4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 875 | 94.1% | 18,306 | 26,104 | 38,404 |
| 2022 | 10,681 | 94.6% | 19,438 | 27,392 | 37,488 |
| 2021 | 24,166 | 92.3% | 21,724 | 30,509 | 42,178 |
| 2020 | 42,994 | 92.2% | 23,119 | 34,232 | 49,312 |
| 2019 | 42,641 | 92.2% | 23,626 | 35,276 | 50,612 |
| 2018 | 44,847 | 88.1% | 24,445 | 36,886 | 53,587 |
| 2017 | 59,512 | 88.1% | 29,408 | 43,851 | 62,741 |
| 2016 | 64,798 | 88.2% | 31,554 | 47,276 | 67,797 |
| 2015 | 55,295 | 86.5% | 35,871 | 53,550 | 75,964 |
| 2014 | 54,756 | 85.6% | 39,016 | 58,566 | 82,900 |
| 2013 | 58,299 | 85.7% | 40,173 | 61,763 | 87,606 |
| 2012 | 22,545 | 83.8% | 39,626 | 60,938 | 87,092 |
| 2011 | 8,001 | 82.6% | 40,466 | 62,946 | 89,476 |
| 2010 | 8,456 | 81.5% | 41,739 | 65,608 | 93,930 |
| 2009 | 37,048 | 79.3% | 47,197 | 74,563 | 104,122 |
| 2008 | 83,854 | 78.0% | 49,888 | 78,157 | 108,841 |
| 2007 | 99,709 | 77.4% | 49,672 | 77,086 | 107,512 |
| 2006 | 81,608 | 78.3% | 47,540 | 73,683 | 101,427 |
| 2005 | 113,116 | 79.2% | 46,982 | 73,904 | 103,602 |
| 2004 | 142,569 | 78.9% | 47,256 | 73,902 | 103,039 |
How Long Does a Toyota RAV4 Last?
Based on 166,014 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on UK roads.
Toyota RAV4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Toyota RAV4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Toyota RAV4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.6% MOT pass rate from 10,681 tests
67.7% MOT pass rate from 12,726 tests
The best year to buy a used Toyota RAV4 is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.6% across 10,681 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Toyota RAV4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 THIS CAR | 79.8% | 1,827,031 | 72,536 mi | 32 yrs |
| Toyota Yaris | 77.7% | 9,038,234 | 54,896 mi | 27 yrs |
| Toyota Corolla | 75.4% | 4,239,724 | 75,409 mi | 36 yrs |
| Toyota Avensis | 75% | 3,497,866 | 89,776 mi | 28 yrs |
| Nissan X-trail | 76.1% | 1,734,090 | 73,639 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota RAV4 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Toyota RAV4 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Toyota RAV4Should you buy a used Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.8% across 1,827,031 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Toyota RAV4 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (26,391 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (22,816), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (20,079). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Toyota RAV4 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Toyota RAV4 owner drives around 6,112 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Toyota RAV4 models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.