2017 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · AE66 JBY

The 2017 Toyota RAV4 holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 17 April 2026 at 102,753 miles, following a same-day retest after an initial failure. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but reveals a pattern of minor, recurring oversights rather than serious mechanical deterioration. The most recent failure was triggered by incorrectly aimed headlamp units on both sides and a flagged nearside front accident damage advisory, both rectified before the pass. A rear tyre wear advisory also appeared on the same day, though the tyres remained within legal limits. These are not structural or safety-critical defects, but they do suggest the previous owner addressed issues reactively rather than proactively. The mileage progression is consistent with typical use for a nine-year-old vehicle. The car covered roughly 16,888 miles between March 2025 at 85,865 miles and April 2026 at 102,753 miles, which equates to approximately 1,400 miles per month during that period. Earlier intervals show a steadier annual accumulation of around 12,000 miles per year between 2024 and 2025. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops in recorded mileage, and the annual distance covered sits squarely within the UK average. The MOT record itself is complete and continuous, with no missing years, which supports a transparent ownership history. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the front-end structure and suspension components. The nearside front accident damage advisory from April 2026, even if minor, warrants a close visual check for panel misalignment, cracked inner wing liners, or disturbed mounting points. The 2024 advisory regarding a light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber is worth revisiting, as misting can precede a full seal failure, particularly at this mileage. Check the shock absorber body for fresh wetness or weeping, and listen for knocking over suspension travel during a road test. Tyre condition has appeared as an advisory in two consecutive annual tests, including sidewall cracking on the nearside front in 2025 and edge wear on both rears in 2026. This suggests the owner replaced tyres only when legally required rather than monitoring wear patterns. Inspect all four tyres for uneven wear, sidewall perishing, and date codes to confirm age and remaining tread depth. The headlamp aim faults, now corrected, are unlikely to recur unless the vehicle has been lowered or the units replaced with aftermarket items. Verify beam pattern and self-levelling function if equipped. Overall, the mechanical record points to a sound vehicle with no major structural or drivetrain concerns, but one that has received minimal preventative attention beyond MOT compliance.