1998 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,666 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 72.3% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.9% in the 150k+ group versus 12.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.3% | 754 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 603 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 540 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 508 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.7% | 434 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 286 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 676 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 634 |
| 3 | Joints | 314 |
| 4 | Wipers | 281 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 206 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 204 |
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 | 31.4% | 1,779 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.2% | 1,597 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.5% | 1,333 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.4% | 1,272 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 1,267 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 622 |
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 | 32 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 325 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 951 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,716 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,384 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,253 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,573 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 1,303 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 1,100 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 905 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 785 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 RAV4
Before buying a 1998 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% 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 1998 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 5,666 1998 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota RAV4?
Suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.6%).
Does the 1998 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,666 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.