2007 Toyota RAV4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,970 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Toyota RAV4, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.7% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (72.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.6% in the 150k+ group versus 15.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.7% | 5,743 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 4,477 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 3,427 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 2,396 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 2,207 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 1,929 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,442 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,600 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,533 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,440 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 1,412 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,210 |
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 | 42.3% | 17,735 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.9% | 12,145 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.5% | 10,707 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 6,622 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.2% | 6,371 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 5,048 |
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 | 163 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,093 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 8,022 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 13,594 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 11,257 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 6,820 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,700 | 27.1% |
| Petrol | 17,265 | 22.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,771 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 9,356 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 8,589 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 7,624 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 6,630 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 RAV4
Before buying a 2007 Toyota RAV4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.2% 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 2007 Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 41,970 2007 Toyota RAV4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Toyota RAV4?
Suspension, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.7%).
Does the 2007 RAV4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,970 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.