2004 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Petrol · DE54 RWN

A recurring pattern of mechanical wear and structural vulnerabilities defines the safety history of this twenty-two-year-old Toyota, which secured a pass on 2021-09-14 following a progression of earlier test failures. The vehicle's roadworthiness record reveals a cycle of component degradation and subsequent rectification, moving from exhaust and suspension failures in 2020 through brake pipe replacements in 2022, up to the extensive advisories noted during its 2023 testing cycle. Rather than indicating a stable trajectory of fault-free operation, the data points to a vehicle that consistently requires remedial mechanical intervention to clear statutory safety hurdles. Accumulating 135,300 miles over its lifespan translates to an average of roughly 6,150 miles per year, representing typical usage for a vehicle of this age. This moderate annual distance suggests the car has not been subjected to extreme fleet-style mileage or prolonged periods of inactivity, meaning its mechanical assemblies have experienced standard, continuous operational wear rather than the accelerated fatigue seen in high-mileage examples or the seizure risks associated with long-term storage. Prospective buyers must prioritise a rigorous physical inspection of the structural and suspension items flagged in recent testing, specifically focusing on the inner sills where corrosion has been noted within thirty centimetres of the chassis mountings. Listen closely for knocks or rattles from the corners during a test drive over uneven road surfaces, as all four coil springs carry corrosion advisories and the front shock absorbers exhibit light oil misting. Furthermore, verify the condition of the anti-roll bar linkages, which have a history of play and wear, and inspect the brake lines and discs to ensure the historical corrosion and pitting issues have been fully resolved without lingering degradation.