2012 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · EX12 PDY

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 5 December 2025 with an advisory notice recorded for a worn, pitted or scored front brake disc, though not considered seriously weakened at that point. Reviewing the pattern across the five successive annual tests from 2021 through 2025, the front brake discs have carried forward a consistent advisory every year, transitioning from a lipped wear condition in 2021 to pitted or scored surfaces from 2022 onwards, with the most recent entry referencing a single front disc rather than both sides. This consistency indicates that while the wear has not deteriorated into a failure-level defect, the discs are clearly degrading progressively and will likely require replacement within the next service interval, particularly if accompanied by pad wear. There are no advisories relating to other systems such as suspension, exhaust, structure, steering, or lights, which suggests the rest of the braking arrangement, the undercarriage, and the general roadworthiness items are being maintained satisfactorily. With an odometer reading of 85,693 miles against a 2012 manufacture date, this Toyota RAV4 is averaging approximately 6,121 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a privately owned family SUV of this vintage and indicates neither excessive high-mileage wear nor prolonged periods of inactivity. The recorded test entries show annual MOT submissions between late November and mid-December, implying the vehicle has been in continuous use and subjected to regular rather than sporadic driving. This kind of steady usage is generally beneficial, as it tends to keep seals, brakes, and the exhaust in healthier working order than a car that has been laid up for long intervals. There are no gaps in the MOT record that would suggest extended standing, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with normal commuter and leisure use. The persistent brake disc advisories warrant close attention during a physical inspection and test drive. The front discs should be examined through the wheels for visible ridging at the outer edge, deep scoring across the friction surface, and any blueing or heat discoloration that would suggest repeated heavy braking or a seized caliper piston. On a road test, the buyer should listen for any brake squeal or groaning noise on light application, and feel for vibration or shudder through the steering wheel when coming to a controlled stop from around 30 mph, which would confirm disc run-out beyond acceptable limits. Pulsation underfoot through the brake pedal would similarly indicate rear or uneven wear. Given that the discs have been flagged for four consecutive years, negotiation should account for imminent replacement of the front discs and pads as a paired job, and the caliper slide pins and guide bushes should be inspected for smooth operation and intact rubber boots, as seized pins accelerate disc wear unevenly. The 2021 and 2022 advisories also recorded front tyre cracking or perishing in the tread, which has since dropped off the advisories, but with the vehicle now fourteen years old, all four tyres should still be scrutinised for sidewall perishing, cracking between the tread blocks, and age-related hardening regardless of remaining tread depth, as rubber deteriorates with time irrespective of mileage. Beyond the documented braking history, a prospective buyer should carry out a series of age- and mileage-appropriate inspections before purchase. The twelve-volt battery should be load-tested, as RAV4s of this era commonly suffer from weakened starting performance once the original battery reaches the seven to eight year mark, and a failing battery can also produce erratic electronic behaviour. Brake fluid, engine coolant, and the automatic or manual transmission fluid should all be assessed for service history, as these are time-limited degradations rather than mileage-limited; the brake fluid is hygroscopic and should ideally be renewed every two years regardless of use, while coolant corrosion inhibitor protection diminishes over similar calendar intervals. The underbody should be raised and inspected for surface corrosion, particularly around the rear axle, subframe mounting points, and suspension arms, which are known areas for cosmetic and, in salt-belt areas, structural oxidation on this model. On the test drive, the buyer should listen for any clonks or thuds from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, and front lower arm bushes are common at this age and mileage. Finally, verifying a complete service book stamp history, confirming the timing chain or belt has been changed at the manufacturer-recommended interval, and checking for any oil seepage around the engine and transmission joins will round out a thorough evaluation of this otherwise consistently maintained vehicle.