2002 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · RF52 HDU

The vehicle's most recent MOT test on 19 October 2023 at 73,100 miles indicates a declining maintenance trend regarding wear items and corrosion. While the vehicle passed, the tester identified a heavily deteriorated and corroded rear exhaust flange joint alongside thinning rear brake pads. This follows a period of relatively clean records in late 2022, suggesting that the vehicle is now entering a phase where age-related degradation and consumable wear are becoming more prominent. The mileage history shows a very low annual average of approximately 3,000 miles, which is consistent with a vehicle of this age. Between October 2020 and October 2023, the mileage increased from 62,812 to 73,100, representing a steady but minimal usage pattern. This low usage can sometimes lead to secondary issues such as perished rubber components or seized components due to infrequent operation, which aligns with the cracking and perishing tyres noted in the October 2021 test. A prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the exhaust system and the underside of the vehicle to assess the extent of the corrosion mentioned in the 2023 record. The history of an insecure offside rear anti-roll bar linkage in November 2022 suggests that suspension components may require thorough checking for play or mounting integrity. Given the report of thin rear brake pads, a complete inspection of the braking system, including discs and calipers, is necessary to ensure no further deterioration has occurred since the last test. The records also highlight intermittent issues with interior configuration and electrical warnings, such as the missing rear seats in 2020 and 2021 and the engine malfunction indicator lamp failure in November 2022. While these specific issues appear to have been addressed to secure subsequent passes, the buyer should verify that the engine management system is fully functional and that the interior is complete as per the vehicle's original specification.