2002 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Petrol · RE52 UPA

The 2002 Toyota RAV-4 passed its most recent MOT on 22 April 2026 at 127,277 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is mixed rather than reassuring. Two clean passes in 2023 gave way to a cluster of advisories in 2025 and early 2026, with corrosion and component deterioration reappearing annually. The April 2026 test flagged both rear sills as rusty alongside a failed offside registration plate lamp and weak headlamp beam patterns. While the vehicle remains legally roadworthy, the recurrence of structural corrosion and suspension faults suggests previous owners addressed only the minimum required to pass rather than undertaking preventative repairs. At roughly 5,303 miles per year, the recorded mileage is low for a 24-year-old vehicle, yet the MOT history does not show the consistent servicing pattern typically associated with a carefully driven car. Mileage accumulation has been uneven. Between the December 2023 test at 120,705 miles and the January 2025 test at 123,638 miles, the vehicle covered 2,933 miles in just over twelve months. The gap between the January 2025 and April 2026 tests added a further 3,639 miles in fifteen months. These figures indicate modest but steady use, with no prolonged periods of inactivity that might explain the corrosion issues through long-term standing. Buyers should treat the rear sill corrosion as a priority structural concern. Surface rust on sills can conceal deeper perforation, particularly on a 2002 vehicle that may have spent time exposed to road salt without adequate underbody protection. A thorough inspection with a screwdriver and torch is advisable to check whether the corrosion has compromised structural integrity. The repeated coil spring corrosion advisories, flagged on both nearside and offside fronts and the offside rear across the January 2025 and April 2025 tests, further point to an undercarriage that has suffered prolonged moisture exposure. Cracked or weakened coil springs risk sudden failure, causing uneven ride height and unpredictable handling. The braking and driveline components also warrant close attention. Front brake pads were noted as wearing thin in April 2025, and the offside front inner CV joint boot was recorded as severely deteriorated at the same test. A split CV boot allows grease to escape and contaminants to enter, accelerating joint wear and potentially leading to costly drive shaft replacement. The slight power steering seepage flagged in April 2025 may have progressed, so fluid levels and pump condition should be verified. Finally, the recurring headlamp advisories, both beam pattern weakness and lens contamination, suggest the optical units are aged and may not provide adequate night-time illumination despite meeting the MOT standard. A prospective buyer should road-test the vehicle at dusk and inspect all suspension and steering components on a ramp before committing to purchase.