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Toyota RAV4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-present3 named generationsfamily SUVSUVDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL
At a glance

Toyota RAV4 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Toyota RAV4 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Toyota RAV4 by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Toyota RAV4 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota RAV4 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Toyota RAV4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your RAV4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

RAV4 Mk5 (XA50)

Mk5 (XA50) (2019-present)

Excellent
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

8.3% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 12,183 MOT tests at this ageView details →
RAV4 Mk4 (XA40)

Mk4 (XA40) (2013-2018)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

15.3% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 3,837 MOT tests at this ageView details →
RAV4 Mk3 (XA30)

Mk3 (XA30) (2006-2012)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

23.4% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 1,288 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

28.9% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,712 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Toyota RAV4.

See every build year for the Toyota RAV4

Side-by-side

Toyota RAV4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (XA50) (2019-present)
Excellent
Excellent8.3%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 12,183 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (XA40) (2013-2018)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings15.3%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 3,837 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (XA30) (2006-2012)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate23.4%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 1,288 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating28.9%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,712 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the RAV4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Toyota RAV4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota RAV4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
12,1696.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
13,4698.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
12,1838.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
8,61311.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,53214.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
9,49415.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
7,49215.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
6,35616.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5,98217.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
4,35620.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,28823.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
63322.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
76227.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,01629.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,40729.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,52330.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,23428.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,01227.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,71228.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,66928.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,69728.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
87729.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,20431.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Toyota RAV4 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Toyota models

5th of 13

5th lowest fail rate of 13 Toyota models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

53rd of 89

53rd lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

14.8%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Toyota RAV4 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Toyota RAV4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.3%
    Advisory: 2,091Fail: 116 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.3%
    Advisory: 1,798Fail: 111 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.2%
    Advisory: 1,481Fail: 594 (29% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.3%
    Advisory: 987Fail: 139 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.3%
    Advisory: 1,077Fail: 10 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,532 MOT tests on 7-year-old Toyota RAV4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Toyota RAV4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres33%
  2. Suspension + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Suspension20%
  4. Other + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,184 MOT tests on Toyota RAV4 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

91%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

36 recalls in all

24 of the 36 Toyota RAV4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • Takata airbag inflator may rupture on deployment
  • Risk of fire
  • Driver side airbag may rupture

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 14.8% for the Toyota RAV4, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 14.8% for the Toyota RAV4, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 14.8% for the Toyota RAV4, both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi Q2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 14.8% for the Toyota RAV4, both built around 2018.

    15,997 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Toyota RAV4 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 13 Toyota models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,532 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota RAV4 ever sold: 120,680 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,532 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.