Toyota Rav4 Common Car Problems by Generation

At a Glance

The Toyota Rav4 has 19 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the XA30 (2005-2012) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 2.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.

Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →

Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Rav4 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.

MOT Tests & Failures by Generation

Toyota Rav4 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data

Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.

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Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.

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Browse Toyota Rav4 Generations

Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories

XA10

3 problems

1994–2000326K tests

Top issue: Vehicle structure corrosion

XA20

9 problems

2000–2005821K tests

Top issue: Headlamp fault

XA30

14 problems

2005–2012757K tests

Top issue: Suspension linkage fault

XA40

MOT failure data available

2013–2018240K tests

Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated

XA50

MOT failure data available

2018–202599K tests

Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition

Most Common Toyota Rav4 MOT Failures

Every reason Toyota Rav4 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.

View:

#	Failure	Category	% of failures
1	Wiper blades deteriorated	Bodywork	10.95%
2	Number plate lamp not working	Electrical	6.05%
3	Tyre tread depth below limit	Tyres & Wheels	5.91%
4	Brake hydraulic component worn	Brakes	5.59%
5	Brake pads or linings worn	Brakes	5.54%
6	Suspension joint or bush worn	Suspension	4.43%
7	Stop lamp not working	Electrical	4.39%
8	Front lamp not working	Electrical	4.33%
9	Catalytic converter efficiency low	Exhaust	4.29%
10	Coil spring broken or corroded	Suspension	3.72%
11	Tyre condition	Tyres & Wheels	3.46%
12	Brake performance below minimum	Brakes	3.45%
13	Exhaust system fault	Exhaust	2.85%
14	Position lamp not working	Electrical	2.71%
15	Windscreen washer not working	Bodywork	2.58%
16	Shock absorber worn or leaking	Suspension	2.47%
17	Ball joint dust cover split	Suspension	2.33%
18	Brake disc or drum worn	Brakes	1.88%
19	Spark ignition emissions above threshold	Exhaust	1.65%
20	Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged	Brakes	1.61%
21	Headlamp fault	Electrical	1.21%
22	Parking brake performance below minimum	Brakes	1.15%
23	Windscreen damage affecting view	Bodywork	1.15%
24	Driveshaft fault	Suspension	1.06%
25	Fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.98%
26	Suspension mounting corroded	Suspension	0.97%
27	Headlamp aim defect	Electrical	0.88%
28	Seat belt condition	Bodywork	0.87%
29	Flexible brake hose damaged	Brakes	0.55%
30	Rear fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.50%
31	ABS fault	Brakes	0.45%
32	Parking brake condition	Brakes	0.44%
33	Compression ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	0.44%
34	Indicator fault	Electrical	0.43%
35	Battery loose or leaking	Electrical	0.40%
36	Body corrosion or damage	Bodywork	0.39%
37	Chassis condition	Bodywork	0.38%
38	Vehicle structure corrosion	Bodywork	0.38%
39	Suspension linkage fault	Suspension	0.37%
40	Track rod end worn	Steering	0.30%
41	Front suspension fault	Suspension	0.29%
42	Tyre pressure monitoring system fault	Tyres & Wheels	0.29%
43	Horn not working	Electrical	0.28%
44	Suspension arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.25%
45	Rear lamp not working	Electrical	0.24%
46	Tyre valve stem damaged	Tyres & Wheels	0.23%
47	Steering rack fault	Steering	0.22%
48	Subframe corrosion or damage	Suspension	0.22%
49	Brake lever fault	Brakes	0.22%
50	Electronic stability control fault	Brakes	0.22%
51	Brake pedal movement restricted	Brakes	0.22%
52	MacPherson strut worn	Suspension	0.20%
53	Wheel bearing worn	Suspension	0.19%
54	Brake pedal fault	Brakes	0.18%
55	Mirror damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.18%
56	Rear suspension fault	Suspension	0.17%
57	Airbag warning light on	Bodywork	0.14%
58	Rear reflector damaged or missing	Electrical	0.14%
59	Handbrake lever fault	Brakes	0.13%
60	Brake caliper fault	Brakes	0.13%
61	Steering lock fault	Steering	0.12%
62	Fuel tank corroded or leaking	Fuel System	0.12%
63	Fuel pipe corroded or damaged	Fuel System	0.12%
64	Propshaft fault	Transmission	0.11%
65	Bumper damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.11%
66	Anti-roll bar worn or corroded	Suspension	0.10%
67	Fuel cap damaged or missing	Fuel System	0.09%
68	Subframe mounting corroded	Suspension	0.09%
69	Electrical wiring fault	Electrical	0.08%
70	Front suspension joint worn	Suspension	0.08%
71	Tyre size or type not matched	Tyres & Wheels	0.08%
72	Spring mounting corroded	Suspension	0.07%
73	Engine oil leak	Engine	0.07%
74	Brake fluid leak	Brakes	0.07%
75	Brake fluid level low or contaminated	Brakes	0.07%
76	Dashboard warning lamp fault	Electrical	0.05%
77	Bonnet catch or hinge fault	Bodywork	0.04%
78	Towbar fault	Other	0.04%
79	Undertray damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.04%
80	Power steering pipe or hose leaking	Steering	0.04%
81	Passenger seat fault	Bodywork	0.03%
82	Brake fluid warning light on	Brakes	0.03%
83	Headlamp levelling device fault	Electrical	0.03%
84	Suspension unit fault	Suspension	0.03%
85	Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault	Brakes	0.03%
86	Suspension retaining or locking device fault	Suspension	0.02%
87	Fuel hose damaged or leaking	Fuel System	0.02%
88	Steering operation fault	Steering	0.02%
89	Electrical switch fault	Electrical	0.02%
90	Steering free play excessive	Steering	0.02%
91	Body security fault	Bodywork	0.02%
92	Brake back plate corroded or damaged	Brakes	0.02%
93	Brake fluid reservoir fault	Brakes	0.02%
94	Tie bar or rod worn or corroded	Suspension	0.02%
95	Exhaust leak	Exhaust	0.02%
96	Driver seat fault	Bodywork	0.02%
97	Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)	Exhaust	0.01%
98	Power steering pump fault	Steering	0.01%
99	Front fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.01%
100	King pin or swivel pin worn	Suspension	0.01%
101	Transmission oil leak	Exhaust	0.01%
102	Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded	Suspension	0.01%
103	Steering drive system fault	Steering	0.01%
104	Brake air or vacuum system fault	Brakes	0.01%
105	Drag link end worn	Steering	0.01%
106	Vehicle floor corroded	Bodywork	0.01%
107	Bonded suspension condition	Suspension	0.01%
108	Engine mounting worn or broken	Bodywork	0.01%
109	Steering arm worn	Steering	0.01%
110	Handbrake cable fault	Brakes	0.01%
111	Driver airbag fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
112	Main beam warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
113	Steering column fault	Steering	<0.01%
114	Reversing lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
115	Driver door fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
116	Speedometer fault	Electrical	<0.01%
117	Suspension rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
118	Front passenger door fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
119	Mirror or camera fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
120	Rear fog lamp warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
121	Spare wheel fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
122	Step damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
123	Additional braking device fault	Brakes	<0.01%
124	Power steering ram fault	Steering	<0.01%
125	Window damaged or won't operate	Bodywork	<0.01%
126	Electronic braking system fault	Brakes	<0.01%
127	Brake master cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
128	Steering coupling worn	Steering	<0.01%
129	Seat belt anchorage fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
130	Trailing arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
131	Axle beam corroded or cracked	Suspension	<0.01%
132	Seat belt pre-tensioner fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
133	Seat belt or padding damaged	Bodywork	<0.01%
134	Hydraulic fluid leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
135	Radius arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
136	Hydraulic brake cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
137	Transmission drive belt fault	Transmission	<0.01%
138	Headlamp washer not working	Electrical	<0.01%
139	Axle corroded or damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
140	Steering wheel damaged or insecure	Steering	<0.01%
141	Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged	Exhaust	<0.01%
142	Universal joint worn	Steering	<0.01%
143	Dip switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
144	Handbrake fails on gradient	Brakes	<0.01%
145	Outline marker lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
146	Brake servo fault	Brakes	<0.01%
147	Brake stationary pin worn	Brakes	<0.01%
148	Electric power steering fault	Steering	<0.01%
149	Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
150	Brake valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
151	Body strengthening plate corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
152	Boot lid damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
153	Passenger airbag fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
154	Access panel damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
155	CV joint worn	Suspension	<0.01%
156	Halfshaft fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
157	Stub axle worn	Suspension	<0.01%
158	Daytime running lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
159	Brake wheel cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
160	Electronic parking brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
161	Steering box fault	Steering	<0.01%
162	Indicator warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
163	Steering lock stop fault	Steering	<0.01%
164	Leaf spring broken or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
165	Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient	Brakes	<0.01%
166	Semaphore indicator fault	Electrical	<0.01%
167	Torque or reaction arm worn	Suspension	<0.01%
168	Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault	Suspension	<0.01%
169	Steering shaft fault	Steering	<0.01%
170	Tailgate damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
171	Full power hydraulic brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
172	Panhard rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
173	Torsion bar worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
174	Wheel hub fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
175	Passenger compartment corrosion	Bodywork	<0.01%
176	Brake linkage mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
177	Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
178	Chain drive fault	Transmission	<0.01%
179	Hazard warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
180	Load sensing valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
181	Steering intermediate drop arm worn	Steering	<0.01%
182	Brake clevis joint worn	Brakes	<0.01%
183	Brake pedal linkage fault	Brakes	<0.01%
184	Brake relay lever fault	Brakes	<0.01%
185	Brake slack adjuster fault	Brakes	<0.01%
186	Dropside damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
187	Loading door damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
188	Speed limiter fault	Other	<0.01%
189	Air brake cylinder or actuator fault	Brakes	<0.01%
190	Cab corrosion or damage	Bodywork	<0.01%
191	Hand-operated brake valve condition	Brakes	<0.01%
192	Reversing lamp switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
193	Seat belt load limiter fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
194	Steering damper fault	Steering	<0.01%
195	Suspension air bellows damaged	Suspension	<0.01%

Showing all 195 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.

Toyota Rav4 MOT Failures by Category

Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Rav4, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.

1,169,902total items

Electrical266,40422.8%Brakes258,10122.1%Bodywork203,16917.4%Suspension200,80917.2%Tyres & Wheels116,68710.0%Exhaust103,3578.8%Steering9,4320.8%Engine5,9430.5%Fuel System4,1490.4%Transmission1,3400.1%Other5110.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Toyota Rav4 problems?

Based on analysis of 2.2M Toyota Rav4 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 19 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Headlamp fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.

Which Toyota Rav4 generation has the most problems?

The Toyota Rav4 XA30 (2005-2012) (2005–2012) has the highest number of identified common problems (14). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.

How is this data calculated?

We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.

Can I report a problem with my Toyota Rav4?

Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Rav4 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.

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