2008 Toyota RAV-4 2.2L Diesel · ML08 WOX

The 2008 Toyota RAV-4 remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 15 January 2026 at 160,635 miles, though the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That latest test flagged corrosion on both inner sills, the front sub-frame, the rear sub-frame, and across front and rear suspension components. The tester also noted all four tyres were worn close to the legal limit or worn on edge, and the offside front track rod end ball joint had slight play. These advisories point to a vehicle that is deteriorating structurally rather than being actively maintained. The pattern across the last five years shows a shift from minor brake wear advisories in 2022 through 2025 to more serious corrosion and steering wear by early 2026. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. In January 2022 the vehicle sat at 134,993 miles, then reached 137,457 miles by January 2023, 143,221 miles by January 2024, 148,796 miles by January 2025, and 160,635 miles by January 2026. That final jump of 11,839 miles in a single year is noticeably higher than the earlier average of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 miles per year. A buyer should consider whether that sudden increase reflects sustained motorway driving, which could mask underlying wear, or whether the vehicle was used more intensively after a period of lighter use. The overall annualised figure of around 8,924 miles is typical for the age, but the recent acceleration warrants closer scrutiny of high-mileage components. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus first on structural integrity. The January 2026 advisories for corrosion on both inner sills and both sub-frames are significant on an eighteen-year-old SUV. Surface corrosion can be managed, but any pitting or flaking on load-bearing sections could compromise structural strength. The suspension components were also flagged as corroded, so check the coil springs, wishbones, and trailing arms for pitting and the lower ball joints and bushes for deterioration. The slight play in the offside front track rod end suggests the steering linkage is beginning to wear, and the edge wear on all four tyres hints at possible tracking or suspension geometry issues that have not been corrected. The braking system shows a recurring pattern of disc wear and pitting across multiple tests, with the nearside rear service brake flagged as binding in 2022. Have the discs and pads been replaced since, or are the same worn components still in place? Check the handbrake mechanism on the nearside rear caliper for seizure and ensure the brake lines are free from corrosion, particularly at the rear where salt exposure is common. The light misting of oil on the nearside front shock absorber noted in January 2025 may have progressed. Compress the front suspension and look for oil damping loss or uneven rebound. This record suggests a vehicle that has been kept running but not proactively repaired, and any purchase should be priced accordingly.