2022 Toyota RAV4 2.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · SC72 EWP

The vehicle was presented for its most recent DVSA MOT test on 18 September 2025 and achieved a Pass, with no failures, immediate refusals, or defect items recorded against it. While the absence of failure items is reassuring and confirms roadworthiness at the time of examination, it is worth noting that four separate advisory items were issued, all relating to the front axle tyres. The advisory categorisations cover both nearside and offside front tyres, with two items noting that the tread was worn close to the legal limit and exhibiting uneven edge wear, and a further two items identifying slight damage, cracking, or perishing on the sidewalls. Because no advisories have been logged on previous test entries, the most recent record forms the entire documented MOT history for this relatively new vehicle, meaning the trend cannot be characterised as improving, worsening, or stable in any longitudinal sense; however, the simultaneous presence of tread and sidewall advisories on both front tyres suggests a pattern that warrants close physical inspection rather than dismissal. With an odometer reading of 38,049 miles on a 2022 model year vehicle, the average annual mileage is approximately 9,500 miles, which sits squarely within the typical range for a privately owned family SUV of this age. This level of usage implies regular but moderate driving, generally sufficient to keep mechanical components, drivetrain seals, brake surfaces, and the 12V battery in sound working condition without imposing accelerated wear on major assemblies. There are no recorded gaps between tests indicative of long periods of standing, nor any sudden mileage jumps suggestive of an inconsistent history. Under this usage profile, one would expect service intervals to have been observed and brake components to have worn at a normal, linear pace, although consumable replacement such as brake fluid, coolant, and possibly the cabin and engine air filters may now be approaching schedule. The front tyre advisories are the principal area of mechanical concern arising from the MOT record and should be prioritised during any pre-purchase inspection. Edge wear on both front tyres, particularly when symmetrical, is frequently indicative of incorrect wheel alignment, most likely tracking or camber deviation, and can also be associated with worn or perished suspension components such as bottom arms, anti-roll bar bushes, or track rod ends. Sidewall cracking and perishing, even when classed as slight, is a known age- and exposure-related phenomenon on vehicles exposed to UK weather cycles and ultraviolet light, and can compromise structural integrity before the tread has worn down. A prospective buyer should inspect the front tyres in detail, checking for uneven shoulder wear, sidewall fissures, and manufacturing date codes, and should budget for a full set of replacement tyres together with a four-wheel alignment check if the wear pattern persists. On a road test, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay attention to steering vagueness, pulling to one side, or vibration through the steering wheel. Beyond the specific advisories, several age- and mileage-appropriate checks remain advisable. The brake discs and calipers should be examined for any surface corrosion, as even regular users can accumulate mild rust through wet weather cycles, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism should be confirmed free of binding. Although the mileage is moderate, calendar-based servicing of brake fluid (typically every two years regardless of mileage) and coolant should be verified through the service book, along with evidence of recent oil and filter changes. The 12V battery should be load-tested if no recent replacement is documented, as battery degradation is more closely linked to age than to mileage on relatively low-use vehicles. Finally, under-bonnet and under-floor inspection for any oil weep from the cam cover, sump, or rear differential, along with a check of the exhaust system for surface corrosion at the joints and mounting rubbers, will round out a thorough evaluation of this otherwise well-presented RAV4.