2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Toyota RAV4 MOT pass rate and common faults

5,731 MOT tests in 2024. 61.6% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time61.6%
Failed or needed repairs38.4%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,731 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.9%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.3%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.3%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.1%
    236 marked dangerous
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  8. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.7%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics24.4%
  2. Suspension17.9%
  3. Brakes17.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.0%
  5. Body & chassis7.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.5%
  7. Tyres4.3%
  8. Steering1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Toyota RAV4?

In 2024, 61.6% of 2004 Toyota RAV4 cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,731 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Toyota RAV4?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Toyota RAV4 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).