2003 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 33,506 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 75.8% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.5% in the 150k+ group versus 13.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 5,029 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 3,824 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 2,687 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.7% | 2,578 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 1,749 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 1,520 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,575 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,142 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,531 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 1,469 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,437 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,395 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.0% | 13,060 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 11,102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 8,241 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 7,047 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 5,233 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 4,619 |
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 | 116 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,645 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,013 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 11,000 | 23.6% |
| 120-150k | 9,176 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 5,545 | 28.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,586 | 23.9% |
| Diesel | 5,920 | 25.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,783 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 7,639 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 6,623 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 5,668 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 4,793 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 RAV4
Before buying a 2003 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2003 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 33,506 2003 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2003 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 33,506 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.