2001 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,580 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 75.1% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.1% in the 150k+ group versus 20.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 1,927 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 1,609 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 1,281 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 1,078 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 754 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 608 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 1,079 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 941 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 881 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 568 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 547 |
| 6 | Wipers | 545 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.3% | 5,471 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.7% | 4,446 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.7% | 3,221 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 2,924 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 2,331 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 2,093 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 49 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 529 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,266 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,160 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,887 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,682 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 13,020 | 24.9% |
| Diesel | 560 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,717 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 3,107 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 2,655 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 2,244 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 1,857 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 RAV4
Before buying a 2001 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (9.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 13,580 2001 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2001 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,580 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.