2003 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Petrol · CU53 ELX

The vehicle holds a current MOT certificate issued on 2 September 2025 at 110,930 miles, following a failure the previous day. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but punctuated by a sudden cluster of brake and lighting defects that required a retest. The September 2025 failure flagged a significantly worn Nearside Front brake disc, incorrectly mounted Offside Rear brake pads, excessively worn Nearside Front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and multiple lighting faults including a defective headlamp lens and two inoperative position lamps. These were rectified before the pass, yet the retest still recorded a worn, pitted, or scored Rear Brake disc as an advisory. The tester also could not test brake performance on the initial attempt due to the condition of the braking system. This suggests the braking components were neglected until they reached a critical threshold, rather than being maintained proactively. The mileage of 110,930 over approximately 23 years averages roughly 4,823 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT record shows a gap of over 11,000 miles between July 2022 at 89,423 miles and August 2023 at 99,173 miles, followed by a further 6,427 miles to September 2024 at 105,600 miles, and then a jump of 5,330 miles in the final year to September 2025 at 110,930 miles. The annual mileage has increased in recent years, which may indicate more regular use after a period of lighter operation. The record itself is sparse, with only five tests documented, and the gap between 2022 and 2023 is not fully accounted for, leaving some uncertainty about the vehicle's activity during that window. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and braking components during any in-person inspection. The Nearside Front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was excessively worn at the September 2025 failure, and both front anti-roll bar linkage dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated in August 2023, indicating prolonged exposure to contamination. The Offside Front lower suspension arm pin or bush was also noted as worn in 2023. These recurring suspension advisories point to a pattern of gradual deterioration that may have accelerated with increased recent mileage. The braking system warrants particular scrutiny. The Nearside Front disc was described as significantly and obviously worn, the Offside Rear pads were incorrectly mounted, and the rear disc remained pitted or scored even after the pass. Incorrectly mounted pads are a concerning indicator of poor workmanship or deferred attention. A thorough inspection of disc thickness, pad condition, caliper operation, and the integrity of all brake hardware is essential before purchase. The rear exhaust hanger was noted as corroded and defective in August 2023, and while it did not appear in later tests, underbody corrosion remains a risk on a vehicle of this age, particularly one that may have spent extended periods stationary. The headlamp lens defect, which progressed from slightly defective in 2023 to seriously defective by 2025, suggests moisture ingress or impact damage that was left unaddressed. Tyres were flagged as wearing in July 2022, and while no further tyre advisories appeared, a vehicle covering low annual mileage can develop flat spots and sidewall degradation from prolonged standing. Any pre-purchase inspection should include a detailed underbody examination for structural corrosion, a suspension bounce test, and a road test focused on brake feel, pulling, and any clunking from the front end over uneven surfaces.