2003 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Petrol · GP52 OFC

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 30 July 2025 at 151,278 miles, but the record reveals a worsening trend in corrosion and brake system integrity rather than a stable maintenance pattern. The tester flagged a corroded rear brake pipe contaminated with grease or other material, an offside rear inner tyre worn close to the legal limit, and surface rust and corrosion across the underside. These are not isolated minor advisories. They represent a recurring theme that has deepened over successive inspections, suggesting the vehicle has spent extended periods exposed to moisture or salt without adequate underbody protection. The maintenance trajectory is declining, not improving. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical use for a 2003 vehicle. Between the July 2023 test at 145,487 miles and the August 2024 test at 148,263 miles, the vehicle covered approximately 2,776 miles in just over a year. From August 2024 to July 2025, the odometer moved from 148,263 to 151,278 miles, a gain of 3,015 miles. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in accumulation, and the overall annual average of roughly 6,577 miles aligns with the stated context. The mileage data itself raises no red flags. What demands closer attention is the pattern of structural and hydraulic defects. Corrosion has appeared repeatedly across the rear underside, sill and jack point areas, and brake pipework across multiple consecutive tests. The tester noted surface rust and corrosion on the underside in 2025, rear underside corrosion in 2024, and a corroded suspension mounting area on the offside front in 2024. Brake pipe corrosion was present in both 2024 and 2025, with the 2025 entry specifically noting contamination by grease or other material that may be masking the true extent of deterioration. A fractured offside rear coil spring caused a failure in August 2024 and was rectified before the pass on the same date, but the underlying corrosion environment that contributed to that fracture has not been resolved. A buyer should inspect the full length of all brake lines, particularly at mounting points and where pipes pass through the chassis, and probe the rear subframe, sills, and suspension mounting areas with a screwdriver to check for soft or flaking metal. The suspension and steering components also warrant a thorough check. The 2023 failure for an excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint drop link indicates that front-end wear items have been neglected or subjected to harsh use. Combined with the corroded front suspension mounting area flagged in 2024, there is a clear risk that bushings, drop links, and ball joints are operating in a corroded environment that accelerates wear. Tyre condition has been flagged twice, with the 2025 advisory noting an inner edge wear pattern on the offside rear that suggests possible misalignment or a worn suspension component allowing negative camber. A buyer should have the vehicle raised on a lift to inspect all suspension bushes, ball joints, and subframe mounts, and should request a four-wheel alignment check before committing to purchase.