1998 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · R988 EWT

The vehicle is currently road‑worthy, having passed the most recent MOT on 27 February 2025 at 131,789 miles, and the pattern of passes following the paired failures indicates a stable maintenance trend rather than a worsening one. Mileage averages roughly 4,700 miles per year over 28 years, which is low for a vehicle of this age. Between the 6 February 2023 pass (124,333 miles) and the 20 March 2024 failure the odometer rose by 3,610 miles, and from the 20 March 2024 failure to the 26 February 2025 failure it increased by 3,846 miles. The increments are consistent and there are no large spikes or unexplained gaps in the record. No defects were logged on any of the failures, suggesting the issues prompting the failures were minor and promptly rectified. A buyer should therefore focus on age‑related wear that is not captured by the MOT: inspect suspension bushings and coil springs for play, verify brake pads and discs for thickness and even wear, examine tyre tread depth and sidewall condition, and look for any surface rust on the chassis or under‑carriage. Checking for exhaust leaks, fluid drips, and the condition of the steering rack will also confirm that the vehicle’s structural and mechanical integrity remains sound.