Toyota RAV4: what fails at MOT
165,000 MOT tests on the Toyota RAV4 in 2024, counted. 20.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.4% of Toyota RAV4 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.5%, so the RAV4 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5.2% of tests), suspension (4.7% of tests) and brakes (3.7% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,549 | 7.1% | 10.9% | 25,800 18,600 to 35,200 |
| 2020 | 18,337 | 7.8% | 11.5% | 33,000 23,400 to 45,600 |
| 2019 | 13,688 | 8.2% | 13.4% | 38,600 28,400 to 51,500 |
| 2018 | 10,025 | 13.5% | 15.6% | 44,100 33,300 to 58,600 |
| 2017 | 10,371 | 15.2% | 18.2% | 55,100 40,800 to 71,700 |
| 2016 | 10,450 | 14.8% | 21.3% | 63,300 48,200 to 79,400 |
| 2015 | 7,577 | 17.2% | 24.4% | 72,100 55,700 to 91,500 |
| 2014 | 8,154 | 19.0% | 27.7% | 82,400 62,800 to 102,400 |
| 2013 | 8,159 | 20.3% | 30.6% | 87,700 67,800 to 109,600 |
| 2012 | 4,513 | 24.3% | 33.4% | 87,700 66,600 to 110,200 |
| 2011 | 5,093 | 28.7% | 36.1% | 95,800 74,700 to 118,200 |
| 2010 | 5,332 | 30.8% | 38.6% | 103,300 80,000 to 126,800 |
| 2009 | 4,402 | 32.9% | 39.8% | 109,400 86,800 to 133,400 |
| 2008 | 6,874 | 37.2% | 41.5% | 114,900 90,500 to 140,300 |
| 2007 | 8,200 | 40.4% | 41.5% | 118,200 94,500 to 142,500 |
| 2006 | 7,588 | 40.1% | 42.4% | 117,000 94,400 to 141,300 |
| 2005 | 8,991 | 35.3% | 42.2% | 113,700 90,800 to 139,400 |
| 2004 | 7,929 | 38.8% | 42.3% | 113,100 88,100 to 137,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Toyota RAV4 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | RAV4 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 5.2% | 7.0% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 4.7% | 5.4% | |
| Brakes | 3.7% | 4.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.7% | 3.0% | |
| Tyres | 2.6% | 4.0% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.6% | 2.3% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 2.0% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.8%
- Wipers1.7%
- Side light1.6%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Brake pads1.2%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.0%
- Tyre tread0.9%
- Washers0.9%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Side light: not working1.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.7%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.7%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.0%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.6%
- Coil spring: corroded3.3%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Toyota RAV4's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.