2021 Toyota RAV4 2.5L Petrol · AE70 FFG

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 currently holds a valid MOT that was secured in April 2026 at 49,304 miles, but the maintenance trend is not entirely reassuring. The most recent test cycle began with a failure on the same day for an ineffective offside front wiper blade and an oil-misting offside rear shock absorber, both of which were rectified before the pass was issued. The shock absorber advisory from the failed test carried over into the pass result, meaning the light oil misting remained at the time of the successful retest. That is not an immediate fail, yet it signals the start of a deterioration curve on a critical suspension component that a buyer should monitor closely. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with light-to-moderate use. The vehicle recorded 30,965 miles in April 2024 and 40,393 miles in April 2025, representing an annual accumulation of roughly 9,428 miles. The jump from April 2025 to April 2026 added another 8,911 miles, keeping the five-year average close to 9,861 miles per year. There are no glaring gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record, and the annual testing pattern suggests the car has been used regularly rather than left standing for long periods. The MOT history itself is reasonably complete, with tests recorded each year from 2024 onward, though no earlier entries are visible on the supplied record. Recurring minor electrical faults stand out across multiple test cycles. The nearside and offside front position lamps were flagged for incorrect colour in both the April 2024 failed and passed tests, and again in April 2025. That pattern suggests either a previous bulb replacement with non-specification units or a wiring earth issue that was never fully resolved. The April 2024 failure also cited a missing rear fog lamp and a missing fog lamp switch, indicating at least one instance of incomplete lighting equipment that required attention. These are not structural concerns, but the repetition points to a tendency for small electrical items to be overlooked between tests. The offside rear shock absorber oil misting is the most mechanically significant finding. A light misting can progress to visible weeping and eventual damping loss, particularly if the vehicle is driven on rough surfaces or loaded heavily. A prospective buyer should inspect the shock absorber body for fresh wetness, check the coil spring seats and top mounts for corrosion or cracking, and assess the condition of the rear tyres for uneven wear that could reflect compromised damping. The braking system and suspension bushes were not flagged in the record, yet with nearly 50,000 miles on the clock, a physical check of brake disc thickness, pad depth, and front lower arm bushes is sensible. The exhaust emissions passed without comment in every recorded test, which is a positive indicator of engine health, but a cold-start check for smoke and a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion around the rear subframe and sills remain advisable before purchase.