2002 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,361 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 75.5% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.5% in the 150k+ group versus 19.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 3,849 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 2,704 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 1,946 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 1,922 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 1,314 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 1,132 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,058 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,042 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,390 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,104 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,091 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,049 |
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 | 37.8% | 9,214 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.4% | 7,881 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.8% | 6,031 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 5,315 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 3,835 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 3,729 |
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 | 76 | 19.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,030 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 4,413 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 7,587 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 6,664 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 4,582 | 28.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,278 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 3,083 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,606 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 5,596 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 4,721 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 4,018 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 3,420 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 RAV4
Before buying a 2002 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 (8.0% 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 2002 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 24,361 2002 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2002 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 0-30k band to 28.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,361 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.