2011 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Diesel · LL60 WCW

The most recent MOT on 5 January 2026 recorded a pass but was accompanied by a number of advisories and a failure for a missing central rear seat‑belt buckle and insufficient reserve travel on the hand‑brake lever. Over the past four years the record shows a growing number of serious items – dangerous front‑brake pad thickness in 2024, dangerous rear tyre tread depth in 2022 and a persistent oil‑leak advisory in 2023 – together with recurring corrosion of the rear coil springs and wear on suspension arm pins and bushes. This pattern indicates that the vehicle’s maintenance condition is deteriorating rather than stabilising, and several components are approaching the end of their service life. At 134 111 miles the RAV4 has accumulated roughly 8 900 miles per annum, which is typical for a fifteen‑year‑old family SUV. The mileage does not suggest any periods of extreme short‑term abuse, but the age of the chassis means that wear on consumables such as bushings, dampers, brakes and tyres will be advanced for the mileage recorded. The relatively modest annual usage does, however, raise the possibility that the vehicle may have spent extended periods stationary, which can accelerate corrosion of suspension springs and promote brake‑disc rusting if the wheels have not been moved regularly. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the rear suspension and coil‑spring condition. Inspect the off‑side and near‑side rear coil springs for any signs of rust‑induced weakening or broken strands and listen for a metallic clunk when the vehicle is driven over bumps, which would indicate a failing spring or a loose mounting. The front and rear suspension arm pins and bushes have been flagged as worn on both sides; feel for any excessive play when pushing the wheel inwards or outwards and watch for a knocking noise under load, as worn bushings can lead to mis‑alignment and uneven tyre wear. The brake system will likely need attention – both front pads were recorded as less than 1.5 mm in 2024 and the discs were noted as pitted, so a full inspection of pad thickness, disc surface and hand‑brake lever operation is essential, and replacement of the pads (and possibly the discs) should be budgeted for. The vehicle also carries a dangerous tyre‑tread condition from 2022, so the current tread depth on all four tyres must be measured; any tyre showing less than 3 mm or uneven inner‑edge wear should be replaced. The oil‑leak advisory suggests a minor leak that could become more severe; check the oil level, look for fresh oil around the valve cover and oil pan, and verify that the leak does not affect the engine’s oil pressure. Clean the headlamp lenses to remove the product noted on them, and ensure the missing rear seat‑belt buckle is fitted to meet safety regulations. Given the age, a load‑test of the 12 V battery, a check of coolant, brake fluid and power‑steering fluid for signs of degradation, and a review of the service book for recent timing‑belt or chain work will help confirm that the RAV4 remains mechanically sound for further use.