2004 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Diesel · FH04 UWW

Two MOT tests on file for this 2004 Toyota RAV-4 present a sparse but broadly positive picture, with the most recent examination on 10 August 2022 recording a pass and no advisories at all. The only flagged item across the documented history is a single advisory from the November 2021 test noting wear, pitting, or scoring on the rear brake disc, classified as not seriously weakened at the time. That single advisory has not reappeared in the subsequent pass, which on its own suggests the rear braking component either remained serviceable, was monitored, or was addressed out of sight of MOT recording. There is no recorded MOT failure, no structural corrosion advisories, and no suspension, steering, or exhaust defects noted in the available data, although the limited number of tests means a full longitudinal trend cannot be established from these two entries alone. At 136,718 miles against a 22-year vehicle age, the RAV-4 has accumulated roughly 6,200 miles per year on average, which sits comfortably within the typical band for a car of this vintage and avoids both the under-use concerns of very low annual mileage and the accelerated wear associated with high-mileage examples. The gap between the November 2021 test and the August 2022 test represents roughly nine months, with no recorded mileage change between those two entries, and there are no MOT records visible for the years preceding 2021 within the data supplied, so any wear progression during that earlier period cannot be directly verified from these results alone. Mechanically, an average usage profile of this nature tends to mean moderate but steady wear on consumables such as brake friction material, tyres, and engine ancillaries, with less risk of dried-out seals, seized calipers, or degraded rubber components that can accompany cars left standing for extended periods. For a prospective buyer, the specific item to interrogate on this vehicle is the rear brake disc flagged in 2021. On a test drive, listen for any graunching, grinding, or rhythmic knocking from the rear axle when moving off at low speed, which can indicate a lipped or heavily scored disc catching the pad. With the wheels safely off the ground, a visual check for an excessive outer lip on the rear discs, surface rust pitting that has progressed beyond cosmetic scoring, or a visibly thin disc would confirm whether the component has reached its wear limit. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without excessive travel, and heavy pulling toward one side under braking would warrant immediate inspection. Beyond that single advisory, the absence of recorded steering or suspension defects should not lead to complacency; with the mileage recorded, the front and rear suspension bushes, anti-roll bar linkages, and coil springs should be physically checked for perishing, cracking, or sagging, as these are common age-related wear points on a RAV-4 of this generation regardless of MOT outcome. Finally, given the sparsity of the MOT history itself, it is prudent to confirm that the vehicle has not been off the road for several years between tests, as multi-year lay-ups can introduce issues with seized brake calipers, perished rubber gaiters, degraded fuel system components, and flat-spotted tyres. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a competent independent garage, including a lift check of the undercarriage for any corrosion on subframes, brake pipes, and suspension mounting points, would be a sensible precaution. The test drive should cover varied road surfaces to expose any knocking from worn bushes or top mounts, and the transmission should be evaluated across all gears for smooth engagement if automatic, or for clean clutch take-up and synchromesh action if manual. While the documented MOT data is not unfavourable, the limited test frequency means the buyer is relying on relatively little recorded evidence and should weigh that against a physical inspection before committing.