2009 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Diesel · DK09 YJS

Rear‑axle anti‑roll bar integrity dominates the MOT history – a dangerous fracture recorded in February 2020, followed by an insecure attachment flagged in the 2021 failure and again noted as an advisory in 2021, indicates that the rear suspension’s anti‑roll linkage has been a recurring weak point. The latest MOT on 1 March 2025 passed, with only minor windscreen damage, an off‑side registration‑plate lamp fault and a rear brake‑pad wear advisory, suggesting the immediate safety status is acceptable but the historic anti‑roll bar issues remain the primary mechanical concern. At 160,828 miles on a 2009 model the vehicle averages roughly 9,500 miles per annum, a usage rate that sits squarely within normal UK expectations for a vehicle of this age. The MOT record shows annual testing without prolonged gaps, implying the car has been driven consistently rather than stored for extended periods, which typically leads to uniform wear across consumables rather than sudden failures. This mileage level means that components such as suspension bushings, brake pads, tyres and drivetrain bearings are likely approaching the latter stages of their service life and should be inspected for progressive wear. When you inspect the car, focus first on the rear anti‑roll bar and its mounting points: listen for metallic clunks when the vehicle traverses bumps or corners, feel for any looseness or play in the rear suspension, and visually check for cracked or corroded linkage brackets. The repeated brake‑pad advisories (near‑side front and rear, off‑side rear) mean the pads are already around 70 % worn; verify pad thickness on the road, test for pedal judder under braking, and ensure the discs are free of scoring. Tyre wear advisories on both rear wheels in 2024 and an off‑side rear inner tyre warning in 2021 suggest uneven tread loss – confirm that tread depth meets the legal 1.6 mm minimum on all four tyres and look for cupping or sidewall damage that could indicate alignment or suspension issues. Finally, address the minor items that have persisted: the windscreen chip noted in 2020, 2022 and 2023 should be examined for any propagation that could affect structural integrity or driver visibility, and the off‑side registration‑plate lamp must be functional for legal compliance. A thorough road test should include a steady‑state high‑speed run to expose any handling anomalies from the rear anti‑roll bar, a full brake application to confirm consistent pedal feel, and a close visual inspection of tyre condition and brake pad wear before committing to purchase.