2014 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · LF14 AAO

The defining mechanical story of this 2014 Toyota RAV4 centres on a persistent pattern of tyre wear irregularities rather than any structural or braking failure. Across the recorded MOT history, every annual test since 2023 has surfaced advisory notes concerning premature or uneven tyre wear, with the most recent pass on 13 August 2026 flagging a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge. Two years earlier in 2023, the same nearside front tyre was actually deemed dangerous, falling below the statutory 1.6 mm tread depth requirement, while a separate advisory in that test noted offside front tyre wear and rear brake pads thinning. Despite the singular dangerous defect, the vehicle has passed every subsequent annual assessment, and the absence of any advisories related to corrosion, suspension components, exhaust integrity, or fluid leaks suggests the chassis and drivetrain have remained free of major concerns through the testing window. Annual mileage accumulation has been broadly consistent with the national average for a vehicle of this age, totalling 83,314 miles over approximately twelve years, or roughly 6,940 miles per year. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record, with annual tests consistently filed each August between 2023 and 2026, which indicates the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. This continuity of use is mechanically beneficial because it reduces the risk of dried seals, seized brake calipers, and degraded dampers that often afflict low-mileage or stored vehicles, though it does mean wear items such as bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and CV joint gaiters have been subjected to continuous load cycles. For a prospective buyer, the recurring tyre wear advisories warrant specific attention during a physical inspection and test drive. Uneven or edge wear on multiple tyres across consecutive tests can point to several underlying issues, including misalignment of the rear or front axle geometry, worn suspension bushes, weakened coil springs allowing the vehicle to sit lower on one corner, or degraded shock absorbers that no longer keeping the tyres planted squarely on the road surface. On a test drive, the vehicle should be driven over varied surfaces including speed bumps and undulating roads, listening for any clonking or knocking from the front or rear suspension, which would indicate worn bushes or anti-roll bar linkages. Steering should be checked for any pulling to one side under braking or acceleration, and the vehicle should be observed at rest to ensure it sits level, as a pronounced lean could indicate a failed coil spring. Additionally, because one advisory flagged rear brake pad thinning, a thorough inspection of pad material thickness and disc condition via the wheels is advisable, and the binding of the rear caliper slides should be confirmed. Given the front tyre wear advisories and the 2023 dangerous defect on the nearside front tyre, the wheel alignment geometry should be professionally checked prior to fitting replacement tyres, otherwise the new rubber is likely to suffer the same premature edge wear. The brake system should be examined for any seizing calipers, uneven pad deposition, or grooved discs, particularly at the rear where pad wear has previously been flagged. Finally, while the MOT history shows no advisories relating to fluid leaks, exhaust condition, or structural corrosion, a buyer should still perform a visual underbody check or arrange a raised inspection to confirm the absence of any developing rust on subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and suspension arms, as these areas are common ageing concerns on vehicles entering their second decade.