Toyota RAV4 years to avoid — 272,240 MOT tests ranked

No clear negative outlier after correcting for age. Strongest in the data: 2012 or 2013. The ranking uses 272,240 MOT tests across 20 registration years (2023–2025) and compares each year with all UK cars of the same age. Fuel-type signal: diesels show an average 4.1-point pass-rate deficit on this model. That may reflect mileage and use as well as the car itself, so inspect DPF and emissions history rather than treating fuel type as a verdict.

Every RAV4 year, ranked

The age-adjusted MOT index sets 100 as the pass rate of all UK cars registered in the same year and tested in the same calendar year. Higher is better. This prevents an old car being labelled a “bad year” simply because it is old.

RankYearIndexVs same-agePass rateTests
1 2013 Strong 110.0 +10.0 pts 83.3% 13,450
2 2012 Strong 109.9 +9.9 pts 81.1% 4,664
3 2014 108.6 +8.6 pts 84.4% 14,105
4 2015 107.7 +7.7 pts 86.4% 16,077
5 2005 107.6 +7.6 pts 72.1% 10,005
6 2019 106.0 +6.0 pts 94.4% 26,751
7 2004 106.0 +6.0 pts 70.4% 9,890
8 2016 105.9 +5.9 pts 87.3% 22,802
9 2022 105.3 +5.3 pts 96.5% 7,008
10 2020 105.0 +5.0 pts 94.9% 35,087
11 2003 104.7 +4.7 pts 69.7% 7,983
12 2021 104.4 +4.4 pts 94.8% 18,568
13 2017 103.9 +3.9 pts 87.9% 23,362
14 2006 103.3 +3.3 pts 67.8% 6,970
15 2002 103.1 +3.1 pts 68.8% 5,746
16 2008 102.9 +2.9 pts 68.1% 10,017
17 2009 102.8 +2.8 pts 69.2% 4,936
18 2001 102.8 +2.8 pts 69.4% 3,016
19 2018 102.5 +2.5 pts 88.8% 21,780
20 2007 102.1 +2.1 pts 67.3% 10,023

How to use this before buying

  • Rankings describe the cohort, not the car. A cherished older example beats a neglected 2012 one — always run the specific reg through the free MOT history check.
  • Read the advisories. Repeated notes for the same component across years mean the owner has been ignoring it. Decode them in our advisory library.
  • Fuel matters on this model. The diesel deficit (4.1 points) usually traces to DPF and emissions kit on low-mileage use — check for P2463-type soot codes on the test drive.
  • Scan before you pay. A 2-minute OBD scan reveals stored faults the dashboard hides — see our scanner guide.

FAQs

Which RAV4 years should I avoid?

No year is a clear negative outlier after correcting for age, so buy on condition and history rather than year.

What is the best RAV4 year to buy used?

2012 and 2013 lead the age-adjusted MOT ranking. The score compares each registration year with all UK cars of the same age; the specific car's history and condition still take priority.

Is the RAV4 reliable overall?

Across 272,240 tests, the median age-adjusted index is 104.8 (100 equals the pass rate of all cars registered in the same year). Use the spread between years as one signal, then check the individual registration.

Methodology: index = 100 + the model-year cohort’s MOT pass-rate difference versus all UK vehicles registered in the same year and tested in the same calendar year. Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded; at least 1,500 tests per page. “Inspect” years are below both the same-age baseline and the model’s median index by at least 2 points. Association is not proof of a model-year defect. DVSA anonymised data 2023–2025, OGL v3.0.