2004 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,781 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.5% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 5,673 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 4,593 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 3,737 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 2,885 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 2,083 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 2,063 |
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 | 2,500 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,171 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,122 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,804 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,685 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,666 |
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 | 42.1% | 17,604 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.3% | 13,930 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 10,163 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 8,216 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 6,429 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.6% | 4,427 |
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 | 181 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,352 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 8,459 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 13,649 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 10,970 | 26.3% |
| 150k+ | 6,153 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 34,175 | 23.3% |
| Diesel | 7,606 | 24.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,504 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 9,364 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 8,235 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 7,318 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 6,360 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 RAV4
Before buying a 2004 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% 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.
- Brakes (8.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2004 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 41,781 2004 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota RAV4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2004 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,781 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.