1998 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · S120 ADL

A pattern of front-end wear is the defining mechanical story of this 1998 Toyota RAV4, with the most recent test on 19 January 2026 revealing a cluster of deterioration across the suspension, drivetrain, and lighting systems. The vehicle passed on that date but only after an immediate re-test that same day, where it had failed outright on a non-functioning offside front position lamp and an offside front seat belt buckle not operating as intended, both classed as Major defects. These are safety failures that would have required rectification before the car could legally re-enter service. Compounding this, the pass itself carried advisories for a non-working central high-mounted stop lamp, discoloured front direction indicators, a light oil mist on the nearside front shock absorber, and a severely deteriorated offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover, alongside a Minor for a perished offside front outer CV joint boot. The overall trajectory is one of accumulating front suspension and drivetrain wear rather than a stable roadworthiness profile. At 133,331 miles over approximately 28 years, the recorded annual accumulation is around 4,762 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The testing history, however, reveals a significant gap between the July 2019 test and the January 2021 test, suggesting the vehicle may have been off the road or untested for roughly eighteen months. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature can mean reduced wear on major drivetrain components but often correlates with prolonged standing periods, which can degrade rubber boots, suspension bushes, brake components through surface corrosion, and flexible pipework. The CV boot deterioration flagged in both 2023 and 2026 is consistent with age-hardened rubber rather than high-mileage wear, and the recurring power steering seepage advisories in 2022 and 2023 point to seals that have degraded through time rather than use. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension geometry, as the 2024 advisory for slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, combined with the 2026 advisory for a severely deteriorated offside front lower arm ball joint dust cover, suggests the anti-roll bar drop links and wishbone joints are now due for replacement. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering when turning. Inspect the offside front CV boot visually for splits or grease loss, as a perished boot left unreplaced will lead to joint failure. Check the nearside front shock absorber for any heavier oil weep down the body, as the light misting flagged could progress to a substantive leak requiring replacement. The braking and seatbelt items require direct verification before purchase. Confirm that all front position lamps and the central stop lamp function correctly, and test the offside front seat belt buckle by latching and pulling sharply to ensure it locks and releases cleanly without sticking. The 2021 advisory for the supplementary restraint system warning lamp not illuminating should be investigated, as this suggests a possible airbag or SRS fault that may have been rectified but warrants confirmation via a diagnostic readout. Given the 2019 advisories for thinning front brake pads, the front discs and pads should be inspected for wear and lipping, and a test drive should include firm braking to detect any judder, pull, or binding caliper. Finally, given the recurring power steering seepage, check the fluid reservoir and hoses for fresh residue and listen for any whining or groaning from the pump during full-lock manoeuvres, as the 2022 and 2023 advisories suggest this system is on a slow decline.