2011 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
22,834 MOT tests on the 2011 Toyota RAV4 are in this dataset, and 82.5% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 24.0% of the time, so this is 6.5pp 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 (8.5%) and suspension (7.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 1,150 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.8% versus 6.2%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (17.7% vs 14.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 1,938 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 1,613 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 1,486 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 936 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.7% | 624 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 543 |
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 | 1,150 |
| 2 | Wipers | 642 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 583 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 526 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 520 |
| 6 | Linkage | 503 |
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 | 30.1% | 6,865 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 6,516 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.5% | 4,906 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.4% | 2,142 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 2,087 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 1,127 |
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 | 305 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,160 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 7,611 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,107 | 19.0% |
| 120-150k | 3,303 | 22.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,342 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,054 | 17.7% |
| Petrol | 1,776 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,656 | 14.4% |
| 2022 | 4,635 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 4,648 | 17.7% |
| 2024 | 4,549 | 19.3% |
| 2025 | 4,346 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 RAV4
On a 2011 RAV4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- Brakes (6.5% 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 2011 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 22,834 2011 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2011 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,834 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.