2004 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · GL54 DYA

The 2004 Toyota RAV4 presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance picture as of its most recent MOT on 16 January 2026 at 156,552 miles. That test passed, yet it carried five advisories, indicating the vehicle is being kept roadworthy but with accumulating minor faults rather than a clean bill of health. Comparing the January 2026 result to the January 2025 test, which had only headlamp lens clouding noted, the number of flagged items has increased. The trend is not sharply worsening, but it is not improving either. The front brake discs were worn and pitted on both inner edges, a corroded nearside rear brake pipe was partially obscured by grease or contamination, and two separate oil leaks were identified, one from the engine block area and another from the front propshaft seal. None of these were severe enough to fail the test, yet together they suggest the vehicle has not received thorough preventative attention in the months leading up to the 2026 test. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. Between January 2023 at 131,831 miles and January 2026 at 156,552 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 24,721 miles over three years, averaging around 8,240 miles annually. That sits slightly above the 7,116 miles per year implied by the vehicle's age, pointing to regular rather than light use. The annual tests from 2023 through 2026 show no unusual gaps in the MOT record, and the mileage increments between tests are steady, with no sudden jumps that would suggest odometer anomalies or prolonged periods off the road. The 2024 test at 137,830 miles was entirely clean, making the cluster of advisories in 2025 and 2026 more notable by contrast. A buyer inspecting this RAV4 in person should focus on the areas the MOT has repeatedly flagged. The headlamp lenses have shown progressive clouding across multiple tests, which may eventually reduce night-time visibility below legal thresholds if not polished or replaced. The front brake discs were already worn and pitted at the most recent test, so a close visual inspection of disc thickness and condition is warranted, along with checking the nearside rear brake pipe for active corrosion beneath any grease or surface contamination. Oil leaks from both the engine block area and the front propshaft seal deserve attention, as even minor seepage can accelerate if left unaddressed, potentially affecting clutch or transmission components over time. The 2023 failure for a major exhaust centre leak, though apparently repaired before the retest, means the exhaust system should be examined for fresh corrosion or patch repairs, particularly around the centre section and joints. Tyre sidewall cracking was also flagged in 2023, so the age and condition of all four tyres, including the spare if fitted, should be verified. Overall, this is a high-mileage vehicle that remains legally roadworthy but is showing the kind of gradual wear typical of a 22-year-old SUV that has been used consistently rather than cosseted.