2018 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
40,186 MOT tests on the 2018 Toyota RAV4 are in this dataset, and 91.6% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 10.3% of the time, so this is 1.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.6%) and suspension (3.2%) 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 2,071 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.0% versus 5.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.2% of the time against 9.4% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,432 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.2% | 1,300 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.8% | 1,112 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 1,064 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 704 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 93 |
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 | 2,071 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,592 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 637 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 500 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 415 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 389 |
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 | 21.2% | 8,507 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 3,861 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 3,374 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 2,582 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 1,343 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 430 |
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 | 15,210 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 18,224 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,322 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,014 | 12.2% |
| 120-150k | 262 | 11.5% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 11.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 36,785 | 8.3% |
| Petrol | 2,004 | 8.2% |
| Diesel | 1,397 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,839 | 4.4% |
| 2022 | 7,969 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 8,110 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 8,037 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 8,231 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 RAV4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 3.6% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (3.6% 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 (3.2% 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 (2.8% 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 2018 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 40,186 2018 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Toyota RAV4?
Visibility, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.2%).
Does the 2018 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 11.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 40,186 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.