2015 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · EX65 NFF

The defining mechanical story of this 2015 Toyota RAV4 centres on a developing rear suspension concern, compounded by a sequence of recent test setbacks that warrant close attention. The vehicle was failed on 24 August 2026 for a pair of major defects an offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint with a split dust cover leaking grease, and an offside rear trailing arm bush that was recorded as excessively worn with the bonding detached. A re-test the following day returned a pass with no defects recorded, indicating remedial work was carried out in the intervening period. Prior to that, the 2025 test produced a PRS failure for both windscreen wipers failing to clear the screen effectively, alongside the first recorded advisories for both rear trailing arm bushes. With 2024 also flagging front brake pads wearing thin and a nearside rear tyre with slight damage, the more recent MOT cycle shows a clear shift from a previously clean record between 2021 and 2023 toward emerging wear items concentrated at the rear suspension and undercarriage. Mileage stands at 44,492 miles over an 11-year span, giving an annual accumulation of roughly 4,045 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and suggests either limited daily use or extended periods of inactivity. MOT testing has been consistently annual from 2021 onwards with no recorded gaps, confirming the vehicle has remained on the road and presented for inspection each year. The combination of low annual mileage and a relatively recent cluster of suspension and undercarriage advisories is a familiar pattern where components deteriorate through age and standing time as much as through active use, with rubber bushes, ball joint gaiters, and flexible components particularly vulnerable to dry rot and oxidation when a vehicle sees limited road use. A prospective buyer should approach this RAV4 with the rear trailing arm and anti-roll bar components at the top of the inspection list, as the 2026 failure demonstrates that what was first flagged as advisory wear in 2025 progressed to a major defect within twelve months. On a test drive, listen for clonks or thuds from the rear suspension over speed humps, rough surfaces, and driveway kerbs, particularly on the offside, and pay attention to any vagueness in rear wheel location over undulating roads, which would suggest the trailing arm bush has not been correctly replaced or that the bonding remains compromised. With the engine off, rock each rear wheel laterally at the top and bottom to check for play in the arm joints, and have an assistant cycle the steering lock to lock while you listen under the front offside wheel arch for any grinding or roughness from the anti-roll bar linkage. Given the failed wiper blades in 2025, also verify that both front wiper blades clear the screen effectively without smearing, and confirm the front brake pads noted as wearing thin in 2024 have been replaced and the discs inspected for lipping. Low mileage RAV4s of this age should also be checked for the typical consequences of light or intermittent use, particularly moisture-related corrosion in brake components, perished rubber hoses, and degraded underbody protection, all of which would not necessarily appear in MOT records until they become significant. Inspect the underside for any surface rust on subframe and suspension arms, check that all brake calipers release cleanly without binding, and ensure tyres are within date and showing even wear, as standing vehicles often develop flat spots or sidewall cracking. Finally, request documentation confirming the work carried out between the 24 and 25 August 2026 tests, as the abrupt transition from major failure to clean pass within a single day means the replacement suspension components and anti-roll bar linkage should be verified for quality of fitment and use of genuine or equivalent parts.