Toyota RAV4 Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Toyota RAV4 passes its MOT first time on 74.0% of tests, 7.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.7%). That puts it ahead of 82% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 RAV4 does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2001 worst (beats 69%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Hybrid does best (beats 94%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 76%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Toyota RAV4Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 24%

Beats 25%

Beats 30%

Beats 52%

Beats 60%

Beats 65%

Beats 69%

Beats 72%

Beats 75%

Beats 80%

Beats 83%

Beats 74%

Beats 71%

Beats 75%

Beats 83%

Beats 88%

Beats 90%

Beats 93%

Beats 96%

Beats 93%

Beats 91%

Beats 94%

Beats 83%

Beats 74%

Beats 98%

Beats 98%

Beats 96%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1995–2018	353,978	65.1%	Beats 76%	B
2.2 Diesel	2006–2015	279,924	71.4%	Beats 83%	A
2.5 Hybrid	2016–2023	256,065	89.4%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Diesel	2001–2018	162,206	74.4%	Beats 85%	A
1.8 Petrol	2001–2003	12,329	62.0%	Beats 77%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

9.8% vs 14.6%

Suspension

8.4% vs 11.3%

Brakes

6.9% vs 9.0%

Visibility

4.9% vs 5.7%

Tyres

3.9% vs 6.9%

Emissions & leaks

3.8% vs 4.3%

Body & structure

3.1% vs 5.0%

Seat belts & airbags

1.1% vs 1.7%

Steering

0.5% vs 2.5%

Wheels

0.2% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Windscreen wipers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Brake pads
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Headlight bulbs & units
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Toyota RAV4Typical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Windscreen wipers	3.1%	2.7%	1.2×
Sidelights	3.0%	3.6%	0.8×
Headlight aim	2.5%	4.1%	0.6×
Brake pads	2.2%	2.0%	1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking	1.9%	3.7%	0.5×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.8%	2.8%	0.7×
Tyre tread depth	1.6%	2.9%	0.5×
Coil springs	1.5%	2.5%	0.6×
Brake lights	1.4%	2.8%	0.5×
Exhaust system	1.4%	1.6%	0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	30.8
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	25.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	24.7
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	23.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm	20.5
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	17.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	15.7
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	15.4

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Toyota RAV41 engine94.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	2,112	94.0%	Beats 99%	A

2022 Toyota RAV41 engine94.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	18,913	94.0%	Beats 99%	A

2021 Toyota RAV41 engine91.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	35,792	91.5%	Beats 96%	A

2020 Toyota RAV41 engine91.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	45,766	91.5%	Beats 98%	A

2019 Toyota RAV41 engine91.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	44,003	91.3%	Beats 98%	A

2018 Toyota RAV43 engines86.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	39,791	86.2%	Beats 74%	B
2.0 Petrol	2,091	87.1%	Beats 71%	B
2.0 Diesel	1,481	86.7%	Beats 82%	A

2017 Toyota RAV43 engines85.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	36,120	85.4%	Beats 80%	A
2.0 Diesel	12,581	85.9%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Petrol	5,247	87.3%	Beats 88%	A

2016 Toyota RAV43 engines86.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Hybrid	33,568	86.5%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Diesel	19,710	85.5%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Petrol	7,346	88.2%	Beats 96%	A

2015 Toyota RAV43 engines84.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	26,141	83.1%	Beats 89%	A
2.2 Diesel	16,318	84.8%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Petrol	7,111	85.6%	Beats 91%	A

2014 Toyota RAV43 engines82.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	26,664	81.3%	Beats 93%	A
2.2 Diesel	23,266	82.6%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Petrol	5,348	84.0%	Beats 93%	A

2013 Toyota RAV43 engines81.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	41,894	81.4%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Diesel	8,099	79.0%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	3,745	82.6%	Beats 94%	A

2012 Toyota RAV43 engines78.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	25,950	77.4%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	3,351	83.5%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Diesel	1,003	78.7%	Beats 95%	A

2011 Toyota RAV43 engines74.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	29,513	74.4%	Beats 89%	A
2.0 Petrol	2,532	79.0%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Diesel	1,783	76.5%	Beats 93%	A

2010 Toyota RAV43 engines71.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	28,177	71.2%	Beats 87%	A
2.0 Petrol	6,343	74.4%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Diesel	1,713	74.3%	Beats 92%	A

2009 Toyota RAV42 engines68.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	22,442	66.7%	Beats 80%	A
2.0 Petrol	7,375	72.9%	Beats 91%	A

2008 Toyota RAV42 engines64.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	30,996	61.7%	Beats 70%	B
2.0 Petrol	17,013	68.9%	Beats 85%	A

2007 Toyota RAV43 engines62.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	34,946	60.0%	Beats 67%	B
2.0 Petrol	25,140	65.3%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Diesel	1,057	59.1%	Beats 64%	B

2006 Toyota RAV43 engines61.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	28,048	63.9%	Beats 78%	B
2.2 Diesel	26,422	59.2%	Beats 69%	B
2.0 Diesel	5,054	65.3%	Beats 84%	A

2005 Toyota RAV42 engines64.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	45,438	65.5%	Beats 85%	A
2.0 Diesel	24,871	61.9%	Beats 79%	B

2004 Toyota RAV42 engines62.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	52,797	63.4%	Beats 81%	A
2.0 Diesel	13,505	60.6%	Beats 79%	B

2003 Toyota RAV43 engines60.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	39,959	60.8%	Beats 74%	B
2.0 Diesel	11,121	59.2%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	4,626	62.1%	Beats 77%	B

2002 Toyota RAV43 engines59.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	31,114	59.4%	Beats 70%	B
2.0 Diesel	6,249	60.1%	Beats 78%	B
1.8 Petrol	4,621	62.0%	Beats 77%	B

2001 Toyota RAV43 engines59.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	19,690	58.8%	Beats 67%	B
1.8 Petrol	3,082	62.1%	Beats 77%	B
2.0 Diesel	1,174	59.4%	Beats 75%	B

2000 Toyota RAV41 engine59.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	9,858	59.2%	Beats 65%	B

1999 Toyota RAV41 engine58.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	8,625	58.8%	Beats 60%	C

1998 Toyota RAV41 engine58.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	10,402	58.2%	Beats 52%	C

1997 Toyota RAV41 engine53.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	6,575	53.8%	Beats 30%	D

1996 Toyota RAV41 engine53.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	5,220	53.4%	Beats 25%	D

1995 Toyota RAV41 engine53.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	3,610	53.8%	Beats 24%	D

FAQ

What is the Toyota RAV4 MOT pass rate?

74.0% of MOT tests on the Toyota RAV4 were passed first time, based on 1,064,502 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1995–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.7% of the time.

Is the Toyota RAV4 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 82% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota RAV4 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 RAV4 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2001 does worst: it beats 69%.

Which Toyota RAV4 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Hybrid does best: it beats 94% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 76%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota RAV4?

The most common failure items are windscreen wipers, sidelights, headlight aim.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Toyota RAV4 reliability

Verdict

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ