2005 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · DF05 BVW

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows signs of recent deterioration, specifically regarding the suspension and exhaust systems. While the August 2025 test resulted in a pass at 95,861 miles, the record shows a failure just ten days prior at 95,858 miles due to a fractured offside rear coil spring. The most recent MOT also flagged a minor exhaust gas leak and corrosion on the nearside rear coil spring mounting. This indicates a worsening trend in the vehicle's structural and suspension components compared to the clean 2022 test. The mileage pattern suggests very light usage for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,565 miles per year. The data shows steady, low-increment growth, moving from 88,244 miles in August 2022 to 95,861 miles in August 2025. This low annual mileage often implies the vehicle has spent significant periods stationary, which can contribute to the corrosion and rubber component issues seen in the recent history. A prospective buyer must prioritise a physical inspection of the rear suspension assembly. The recurring issues with coil springs and mounting corrosion suggest that the structural integrity of the spring seats requires close scrutiny to ensure the corrosion is not progressing beyond the "not seriously weakened" stage noted in August 2025. The tester also identified a minor exhaust leak, which should be checked to ensure it is a simple gasket or pipe issue rather than extensive manifold or system corrosion. Further attention should be paid to the shock absorbers, which showed light oil misting on both front units during the August 2024 test. Although no direct failure was recorded for these, the combination of leaking dampers and aging suspension components suggests the vehicle may soon require significant maintenance to address ride quality and stability. The history of thin brake pads in 2024 also highlights the need to verify the current state of the braking system.