2005 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · NG54 MFN

A chronic pattern of brake pipe corrosion advisories is the defining mechanical thread running through this RAV4's MOT history, with the issue flagged at the rear of the vehicle on every single test since 2019. The most recent pass on 3 October 2025 continued this trend, recording corroded brake pipes on both the nearside and offside rear, coated in grease or other material as a concealment method. Earlier tests in 2024 and 2023 identified the same rear pipe corrosion, and the 2019 test specifically marked the condition as advanced, while also noting general underbody corrosion. This consistent recurrence over at least six consecutive tests indicates a structural deterioration issue rather than an isolated wear item, and the application of grease is a temporary palliative that does not arrest the underlying oxidation of the steel brake lines. The recorded mileage of 144,803 miles across 21 years equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 6,895 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and suggests regular rather than sporadic use. The MOT testing record is continuous from 2018 onwards with no significant gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained on the road throughout this period. This consistent usage pattern generally means consumable components such as brake pads, discs, tyres and suspension bushes have been subjected to normal wear cycles rather than the accelerated degradation that can occur with very high annual mileages, though the underbody corrosion advisories suggest environmental exposure has been a factor. For a prospective buyer, the brake pipe corrosion is the primary area requiring close physical inspection, as the advisories specifically reference the rear sections of the front-to-rear brake lines. On inspection, the rear brake pipes should be examined along their full length, particularly at the underseal transitions and any mounting clips, looking for swelling, blistering under the grease coating, or active rust weeping through the pipe surface. Any pipe showing through-wall thinning will require replacement to pass a future MOT, and given the persistent recurrence, a pre-purchase inspection on a ramp is strongly advisable to assess whether the corrosion is purely surface-level or has compromised pipe integrity. During a test drive, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive with no sponginess, and there should be no evidence of fluid leakage beneath the rear of the vehicle after the brakes have been applied several times. Secondary items worth attention include the headlamp lens deterioration, which has been flagged as a poor pattern on multiple tests from 2022 through 2024, and the 2019 advisory noting fluid around the prop-shaft, which on a RAV4 of this age warrants checking for either a perished rear propshaft oil seal or transmission output seal leakage. The 2022 advisory of a minor exhaust gas leak at the rear should prompt a check of the rear silencer and tailpipe joints for blow-by sounds under acceleration. The 2021 advisory of an offside rear tyre worn on edge may suggest a tracking or suspension geometry issue, so the test drive should include observations for any steering pull to one side or uneven tyre wear across the rear axle. Overall, while the vehicle has passed every test recorded, the repetitive nature of the brake pipe advisories and the general underbody corrosion flagged in 2019 represent ongoing maintenance obligations that a buyer should factor into any purchase decision.