2008 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · ML08 WOD

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 presents a stable mechanical picture as of its most recent MOT on 14 October 2025 at 116,534 miles, where it passed after an initial failure on the same day for two non-functioning front position lamps. That minor electrical defect was rectified promptly, suggesting the owner addressed it immediately rather than deferring the repair. The maintenance trend is broadly stable rather than improving or worsening, with several recurring advisories that have persisted across multiple tests without escalating into dangerous failures. The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the record reveals a pattern of deferred cosmetic and structural attention rather than proactive renewal. The mileage progression is consistent and unremarkable. From 111,963 miles on 5 October 2023 to 115,569 miles on 21 October 2024, the vehicle covered 3,606 miles in roughly twelve months. The jump to 116,534 miles by October 2025 represents just 965 miles over the following year, indicating either a period of very light use or the vehicle standing for extended spells. At approximately 6,474 miles per year across its eighteen-year life, this is typical for its age and does not raise concerns about excessive wear or suspiciously low odometer readings. The most persistent theme across the record is corrosion. The rear sub-frame, rear suspension arms, rear sub-frame mountings, and offside rear inner sill have appeared as corroded but not seriously weakened in every test from 2023 through 2025. Brake pipe and brake hose corrosion also recurs, with ferrule corrosion noted on both rear hoses in 2025 and corroded rear brake pipes flagged in 2024. A buyer should inspect the underside thoroughly, paying close attention to the rear sub-frame mounting points and inner sills, to confirm that surface corrosion has not progressed to perforation or structural weakening since the last test. Suspension wear is another consistent feature. Worn rear suspension arm bushes appeared in both 2024 tests, and the 2024 failure revealed excessively worn front lower arm bushes with a bolt loss on the nearside, alongside a seriously leaking nearside front shock absorber. Although the 2025 pass suggests these items were addressed, a buyer should verify that the front suspension components were actually replaced rather than simply re-tested after temporary attention. The offside front shock absorber was misting oil in 2023 and still flagged as light misting in the 2024 pass, so damping performance should be checked on a road test. Inner edge wear on rear tyres appears repeatedly, indicating possible rear wheel alignment issues or worn rear suspension geometry that has not been permanently corrected.