Toyota RAV4 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Toyota RAV4 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2003–2005 and 2008–2022. The other 4 years can't be told apart from average.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use year2003–2005 and 2008–2022
- Can't be told apart from average2001–2002 and 2006–2007
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 77.7% to 78.1%.
In 2025, 77.9% of the 129,298 initial MOT tests on Toyota RAV4 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 72.7%. That is 5.2 points above the same-age average.
In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 1st of 160 cars first used in 2022; joint 8th of 145 cars first used in 2020.
Check a specific RAV4
Toyota RAV4 MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022age 3 | 10,28127,000 | 94.4%±0.5 | +5.9 ptsall: 88.5% | |
| 2021age 4 | 12,33634,300 | 91.4%±0.6 | +4.2 ptsall: 87.2% | |
| 2020age 5 | 11,63742,000 | 91.2%±0.6 | +5.2 ptsall: 86.0% | |
| 2019age 6 | 8,89148,000 | 90.6%±0.7 | +7.1 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2018age 7 | 7,37652,500 | 83.2%±0.9 | +2.3 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 7,83563,100 | 82.3%±0.9 | +4.1 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 7,63671,000 | 81.6%±0.9 | +6.7 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2015age 10 | 5,36879,700 | 81.3%±1.1 | +9.4 ptsall: 71.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 5,94189,700 | 78.2%±1.1 | +9.6 ptsall: 68.6% | |
| 2013age 12 | 5,78895,300 | 76.0%±1.2 | +10.2 ptsall: 65.8% | |
| 2012age 13 | 3,25694,100 | 71.0%±1.6 | +7.5 ptsall: 63.5% | |
| 2011age 14 | 3,545102,300 | 68.8%±1.6 | +7.6 ptsall: 61.2% | |
| 2010age 15 | 3,750108,400 | 65.8%±1.6 | +6.5 ptsall: 59.3% | |
| 2009age 16 | 2,903112,400 | 61.4%±1.8 | +3.1 ptsall: 58.3% | |
| 2008age 17 | 4,459117,500 | 59.7%±1.5 | +2.5 ptsall: 57.2% | |
| 2007age 18 | 5,136120,200 | 58.6%±1.4 | +1.2 ptsall: 57.4% | |
| 2006age 19 | 4,566118,300 | 58.0%±1.5 | +1.0 ptsall: 57.0% | |
| 2005age 20 | 5,586114,700 | 63.7%±1.3 | +6.1 ptsall: 57.6% | |
| 2004age 21 | 5,026114,200 | 61.4%±1.4 | +3.6 ptsall: 57.8% | |
| 2003age 22 | 3,815116,800 | 61.5%±1.6 | +2.8 ptsall: 58.7% | |
| 2002age 23 | 2,688117,400 | 60.5%±1.9 | +1.0 ptsall: 59.5% | |
| 2001age 24 | 1,479120,200 | 61.4%±2.6 | +0.3 ptsall: 61.1% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
93.8% of Toyota RAV4 tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 58.7% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 89.9% and 56.9%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 17,024 | 93.8%±0.4 | +3.9 ptsall: 89.9% |
| 30,000–59,999 | 35,883 | 88.1%±0.4 | +6.1 ptsall: 82.0% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 28,723 | 79.5%±0.5 | +9.5 ptsall: 70.0% |
| 90,000–119,999 | 23,389 | 68.7%±0.6 | +8.1 ptsall: 60.6% |
| 120,000 or more | 24,245 | 58.7%±0.7 | +1.8 ptsall: 56.9% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, RAV4 tests were above average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Toyota RAV4 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 34 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common RAV4 problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
What to check when viewing a RAV4
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a RAV4's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Toyota RAV4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.5% failed on tyres, against 3.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 14,738 and 58,675 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 12.8% of those with a tyre advisory and 12.0% of the others.
Brakes
Of Toyota RAV4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.0% failed on brakes, against 4.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 12,095 and 61,119 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.5% of those with a brake advisory and 11.7% of the others.
Suspension
Of Toyota RAV4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 15.7% failed on suspension, against 9.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 10,132 and 61,722 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.2% of those with a suspension advisory and 11.5% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataToyota RAV4 questions
Which Toyota RAV4 years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2003–2005 and 2008–2022. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Toyota RAV4 reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.9% of initial MOT tests on Toyota RAV4 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 72.7%. That is 5.2 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Toyota RAV4 problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 35.7% of failed tests), suspension (in 34.5% of failed tests) and brakes (in 23.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Toyota RAV4?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Toyota RAV4 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 79,700 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific RAV4's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Toyota RAV4
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Toyota models
- Toyota Yaris+2.4 pts against the same-age average
- Toyota Aygo+2.7 pts against the same-age average
- Toyota Prius+6.7 pts against the same-age average
- Toyota Auris+3.8 pts against the same-age average
- Toyota Corolla+2.4 pts against the same-age average
- Toyota C-HR+1.7 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 17 Toyota modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Toyota RAV4 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count