2004 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Diesel · AP04 WSJ

A paradox defines the DVSA history of this 2004 Toyota RAV-4: on the two most recent test dates, 2026-01-05 and 2025-01-09, the vehicle passed with no recorded defects, yet the exact same dates also carry a FAIL entry with no defects logged. This duplication strongly suggests an administrative re-test scenario rather than genuine mechanical decline — the car was almost certainly refused a certificate for a non-defect-related reason (likely an expired or invalid previous certificate, late presentation, or a tyre/identification issue that was rectified immediately), then re-presented and passed within hours or days of the original refusal. The underlying mechanical trend therefore appears stable: the previous valid pass dates back to 2022-02-01, and the absence of any recorded advisories, component failures, or corrosion notes across three test dates over a four-year window points to a structurally sound and roadworthy vehicle entering the 2026 test cycle. The recorded mileage of 105,511 miles across 22 years equates to roughly 4,800 miles per annum, which is notably low for any vehicle of this age and considerably below the average annual accumulation for a 4x4 of this generation. Several test gaps stand out: there is no valid MOT history recorded between February 2022 and January 2025 — a three-year window during which the vehicle may have either been off the road under SORN, exempt from testing as a pre-2006 vehicle in some years, or simply not presented. The jump from the 2022 test mileage to the 2025 figure would clarify whether this was a genuine low-use period or a storage interval. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this magnitude raises the familiar concerns associated with standing vehicles rather than wear-and-tear: rubber components (suspension bushes, drive shafts, coolant hoses, brake and fuel lines) deteriorate faster with age than with use, and seals that remain static can harden and weep upon return to service. Given the complete absence of advisories or component-specific failures in the DVSA record, a prospective test drive should focus on the items most likely to suffer from age rather than mileage on a 22-year-old RAV-4. Listen for clonks or creaks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, paying particular attention to the lower control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and front strut top mounts — all known wear points on this generation. Check for any steering wander, vibration through the wheel around 50–60 mph, or uneven tyre wear, which on a part-time 4x4 of this age can indicate worn rear beam bushes or propshaft imbalance. Inspect the underbody, sills, rear wheel arches, and suspension subframes for any surface corrosion that an MOT inspector might have deemed too superficial to record as an advisory but which warrants close examination at this age, and verify that no oil residue is present around the engine and transmission seams. On the road, evaluate brake feel carefully: pedal sponginess or excessive travel would point to aged brake fluid or a binding caliper, while any pulling to one side under steady braking suggests a seized slider. Confirm that the clutch bites high and smoothly without slipping under load, and check that all four electric windows, the central locking, and the air conditioning — common failure points on early-2000s Toyota electronics — operate correctly. Listen for any timing chain rattle from a cold start (a known concern on higher-mileage 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE units) and verify that the automatic or manual transmission selects cleanly with no clonks on engagement. Finally, verify the VIN, age-related identification, and tyre condition comply with current presentation standards to ensure no repeat of the duplicate fail/pass anomaly seen in the 2025 and 2026 records.