2010 Toyota RAV-4 2.2L Diesel · FN60 VCF

The most recent DVSA examination on 5 December 2025 recorded a clean PASS with no advisories or defects, which is a positive immediate indicator. However, when reviewing the trajectory across the last six tests, the maintenance picture is best described as broadly stable but with one recurring advisory that warrants close attention. The front steering rack inner joint play has been flagged as an advisory on both sides at the 2022, 2023, 2024, and May 2025 tests, then disappeared at the December 2025 test. This could indicate the joint has been replaced, the advisory was simply not repeated, or the play remains at the borderline of MOT failure criteria. Given the recurring nature over several years, any prospective buyer should treat this as an item requiring physical verification rather than assuming it has been resolved. The other historical advisories covering rear tyre wear and deterioration, a damaged rear tyre in 2021, and a minor registration plate lamp issue are isolated items that have not recurred and are not of ongoing concern. With a recorded mileage of 115,010 miles over a sixteen-year life, this RAV4 has covered approximately 7,188 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age. The MOT gap from May 2025 to December 2025 represents only around seven months, and there are no obvious extended standing periods within the recorded history. That said, the annual mileage is on the moderate side, meaning many wear items will have aged as well as worn. Rubber components, fluids, and the battery degrade with calendar time regardless of distance covered, so the buyer should not be lulled into thinking the vehicle is mechanically youthful simply because the odometer is not exceptionally high. The persistent steering rack inner joint advisory is the single most important inspection point. During a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front end, particularly when turning at low speed over uneven surfaces or kerbs, and feel for vagueness or rattle through the steering wheel. Inspect the inner joints with the wheels turned to full lock and the engine off, checking for any visible play by rocking the wheel. If play is still present, a replacement steering rack or inner tie rod refurbishment is likely imminent, and on a vehicle of this age and mileage, budgeting for this work is prudent. Beyond the steering, the historical edge wear on the rear tyres noted in 2023 suggests a possible alignment or suspension geometry issue. On inspection, check the current set of tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, and consider a four-wheel alignment check. Also examine the rear registration plate area for any recurring deterioration. Given the age and modest annual mileage, several time-based checks are essential regardless of the MOT outcome. Inspect the tyre sidewalls for perishing and cracking from age, as rubber degrades chemically even when tread depth remains adequate. Examine the brake discs for surface corrosion and the calipers for any seizing, particularly after the vehicle has been standing, as binding calipers are common on lower-use cars of this vintage. Check the 12V battery for date coding and load test results, as a sixteen-year-old original battery would be long overdue for replacement. Verify that the service book contains evidence of regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals, and confirm the condition and age of the coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual gearbox oil if applicable, as these degrade on a calendar basis. Finally, lift any under trays if fitted to inspect for oil leaks from the engine and transmission, and check the exhaust system for corrosion at the joints and mounting rubbers, which are common failure points on high-mileage diesel or petrol RAV4s of this generation.