MOT failure data · 2025

Toyota RAV-4 MOT problems

Across every Toyota RAV-4 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was position lamp not working, on 4.85% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 27.61%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Toyota RAV-4 MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	4.85%
2	Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	4.36%
3	Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	Suspension	4.22%
4	Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	3.93%
5	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	3.03%
6	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	2.92%
7	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.89%
8	Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded	Brakes	2.8%
9	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	2.61%
10	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	2.6%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Toyota RAV-4, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Toyota RAV-4 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Toyota RAV-4?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Toyota models

Toyota RAV-4 MOT FAQs

What does a Toyota RAV-4 most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Toyota RAV-4 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "position lamp not working", appearing on 4.85% of failure items.

Does this mean my Toyota RAV-4 will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Toyota RAV-4 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Toyota RAV-4 passed 70.96% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Toyota RAV-4's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.