2020 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 38,458 MOT tests, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 recorded a 95.2% pass rate. That is 3.9 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.3%) and visibility (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 1,068 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 2.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 9.7% once past 150k — 3.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,253 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,035 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 632 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 215 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 76 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,068 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 689 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 353 |
| 4 | Washers | 204 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 160 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 119 |
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 | 17.5% | 6,728 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.7% | 2,191 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.0% | 1,909 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 1,234 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 249 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 223 |
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 | 16,452 | 2.9% |
| 30-60k | 16,839 | 5.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,013 | 7.4% |
| 90-120k | 916 | 8.2% |
| 120-150k | 166 | 6.6% |
| 150k+ | 72 | 9.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 38,339 | 4.8% |
| Petrol | 114 | 7.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 116 | 5.2% |
| 2022 | 720 | 3.6% |
| 2023 | 12,858 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 12,542 | 5.0% |
| 2025 | 12,222 | 5.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 RAV4
On a 2020 RAV4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
95.2% of the 38,458 2020 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Toyota RAV4?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.7%).
Does the 2020 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,458 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.