2010 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,726 MOT tests, the 2010 Toyota RAV4 recorded an 80.8% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 25.3% of the time, so this is 6.2pp 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 (9.9%) and suspension (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 1,297 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.6% in the 0-30k band and 27.1% in the 150k+ band, a 19.4-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 16.9% fail against 19.6% for diesel, a 2.7-point gap across 24,718 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 2,454 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 2,046 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 1,694 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 1,086 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.0% | 749 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 584 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,297 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 760 |
| 3 | Wipers | 735 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 687 |
| 5 | Linkage | 619 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 593 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.9% | 8,139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.6% | 7,078 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.9% | 5,654 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 3,118 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.9% | 2,693 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 1,458 |
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 | 183 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,594 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 7,084 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 8,038 | 20.4% |
| 120-150k | 4,649 | 23.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,170 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 20,404 | 19.6% |
| Petrol | 4,314 | 16.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,102 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 5,101 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 4,984 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 4,850 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 4,689 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2010 RAV4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% 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 (6.9% 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 2010 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
80.8% of the 24,726 2010 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2010 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,726 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.