Toyota RAV4 MOT pass rate and common problems
83.1% of 198,790 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests pass.
The RAV4's pass rate of 83.1% is in line with the average across all Toyota models, at 82.3%.
The Toyota RAV4 has a pass rate of 83.1%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Toyota RAV4?
This is the average across every Toyota RAV4 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Toyota RAV4 tested at 0–3 years pass 96.1% of the time, compared with just 68.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.1% | 18,050 | 27,879 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.6% | 47,930 | 39,329 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.0% | 39,209 | 66,300 miles |
| 10–15 years | 80.9% | 30,454 | 95,263 miles |
| 15+ years | 68.7% | 63,147 | 117,687 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota RAV4
The most common reason the Toyota RAV4 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 44.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 43.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 34.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 18.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 17.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.2% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Toyota RAV4: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota RAV4’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota RAV4 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 80.9% to 68.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 75.0% down to 66.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 44.7% of failed Toyota RAV4 MOTs. 20.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.4% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 43.6% of failed Toyota RAV4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 21.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.0% of failed Toyota RAV4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 18.0% of failed Toyota RAV4 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.5% of failed Toyota RAV4 MOTs. 6.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Toyota models
- Toyota Aygo — 81.7% pass rate
- Toyota Prius — 88.5% pass rate
- Toyota Auris — 81.2% pass rate
- Toyota Corolla — 82.5% pass rate
- Toyota C-HR — 92.0% pass rate
- Toyota Hilux — 77.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota RAV4?
- 83.1% of Toyota RAV4 MOT tests pass, based on 198,790 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota RAV4?
- The most common reason the Toyota RAV4 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 44.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota RAV4?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota RAV4 are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 20.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota RAV4?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Toyota RAV4's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.