2009 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · SA09 ENM

The DVSA test record for this RAV4 is unusually sparse for a vehicle of its age and accumulated mileage, presenting a roadworthiness picture that is difficult to fully appraise. Across the documented history, only two PASS entries appear, on 2023-08-15 and 2024-08-01, alongside two FAILED entries on 2023-08-10 and 2024-08-01 that were subsequently overturned to a pass on the same day. While a clean pass on the most recent test on 2024-08-01 is reassuring at face value, the absence of any advisory or defect entries across multiple tests on a 171,207-mile car is statistically improbable and suggests either incomplete data capture by the testing station, or that advisories were either declined or not recorded. This lack of granular component-level history removes the most useful diagnostic tool a buyer typically has when assessing a high-mileage SUV. At roughly 17 years old with 171,207 recorded miles, the vehicle is accumulating approximately 10,071 miles per year, which sits close to the average for its age cohort. The visible MOT history covers only the period from 2022 to 2024, meaning the first 14 years of the vehicle's life carry no DVSA verification whatsoever. There is also a notable absence of tests between 2022-07-23 and 2023-08-10, although this likely represents a standard annual cycle. The mileage is plausible and consistent for a family SUV that has seen regular use, and the absence of dramatic mileage jumps between recorded tests suggests no odometer irregularity is immediately apparent, though this cannot be definitively confirmed without earlier test records. For a prospective buyer, the primary concern is that the MOT history offers almost no early warning of developing wear items that would normally be flagged as advisories on a high-mileage Toyota of this vintage. On a fourth-generation RAV4 of this age and mileage, components such as front lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar bushes, rear coil springs, and front brake discs are common advisory items, yet none appear in the record. A physical inspection should focus on these areas: listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps, particularly under braking, which would indicate worn lower arm or anti-roll bar bushes. Check the rear suspension visually for any sagging indicating weakened coil springs, and inspect the front brake discs for lipping or corrosion around the outer edge, which on a car of this mileage typically warrants replacement rather than skimming. Given the mileage, the vehicle should also be inspected for the typical age-related issues associated with the 2.0 or 2.2 diesel variants that are common in this model range, though specific powertrain failures are not reflected in the MOT record. On the test drive, pay particular attention to clutch operation if manual, looking for slipping under load or a high biting point, and on automatics check for any harsh or delayed gearchanges. Inspect the underside carefully for any signs of corrosion to the subframe, brake pipes, and suspension mounting points, as a vehicle standing on its original underseal at this age is likely to show surface corrosion even if no structural advisories were recorded. Finally, request any service history available to verify that consumables such as timing belt, water pump, and brake fluid have been addressed at the correct intervals, since the MOT record alone cannot confirm these critical maintenance items.