2005 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
45,348 MOT tests on the 2005 Toyota RAV4 are in this dataset, and 77.3% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.0% of the time, so this is 5.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and suspension (10.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,808 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.4% in the 0-30k band and 27.6% in the 150k+ band, a 14.2-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 21.8% fail against 24.5% for diesel, a 2.7-point gap across 45,346 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 6,122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 4,782 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 4,095 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 2,524 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 2,133 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 1,903 |
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 | 2,808 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,356 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,204 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,698 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,668 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,428 |
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 | 39.5% | 17,899 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.5% | 14,281 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 11,145 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 8,707 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 6,250 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.1% | 4,585 |
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 | 239 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,721 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,763 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 14,763 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 12,054 | 25.2% |
| 150k+ | 6,792 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 30,307 | 21.8% |
| Diesel | 15,039 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,088 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 10,120 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 9,104 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 8,034 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 7,002 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 RAV4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2005 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
77.3% of the 45,348 2005 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2005 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,348 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.