2017 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
43,291 MOT tests on the 2017 Toyota RAV4 are in this dataset, and 90.6% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 11.8% of the time, so this is 2.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.7%) and suspension (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, wipers and headlamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,098 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.7% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.9% of the time against 9.5% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,591 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.3% | 1,411 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.9% | 1,258 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 1,208 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.6% | 1,148 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 92 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 2,098 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,669 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 837 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 695 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 525 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 507 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.7% | 9,812 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 6,267 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 4,089 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.1% | 3,068 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,592 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 554 |
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 | 8,732 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 21,413 | 9.0% |
| 60-90k | 9,814 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,431 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 582 | 13.9% |
| 150k+ | 316 | 11.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 28,973 | 9.5% |
| Diesel | 10,107 | 9.4% |
| Petrol | 4,203 | 8.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,420 | 6.0% |
| 2022 | 8,603 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 8,690 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 8,739 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 8,839 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 RAV4
On a 2017 RAV4, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (3.3% 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.
- Tyres (2.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2017 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 43,291 2017 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Toyota RAV4?
Visibility, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by suspension (3.3%).
Does the 2017 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 11.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,291 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.