2009 Toyota RAV4 2.2L Diesel · SL09 MLX

The most recent DVSA examination on 2 December 2025 resulted in a Pass, but four advisories were issued that warrant careful consideration by any prospective purchaser. The pattern across the last four tests is one of a gradually accumulating list of corrosion and wear advisories rather than a clean bill of health, with sub-frame corrosion appearing at every MOT since 2020 and a near-side track rod end play now recorded alongside suspension component corrosion. While each individual item was deemed not serious enough to fail at the time, the cumulative trend suggests that structural surfaces and steering/suspension joints are progressively deteriorating. This is not unusual for a seventeen year old vehicle, but it indicates that the car is now entering a phase where rust remediation, suspension refreshment, and steering component replacement are increasingly likely requirements rather than distant possibilities. Mileage accumulation has been broadly consistent and typical for the vehicle's age, averaging around 7,600 miles per year over its seventeen year life, with a modest gap visible between the May 2018 and May 2019 tests before more regular annual use resumed. The recorded 130,130 miles places this RAV4 firmly in high mileage territory for its age bracket, and the relatively even progression between tests suggests steady, real world use rather than long periods of standing or sporadic short trips. High annual mileage on a diesel or petrol SUV of this generation typically accelerates wear on suspension bushes, brake discs and pads, clutch components (on manual variants), dual mass flywheels, and timing chain ancillaries, even where service history is present, and these areas should be examined with that usage profile in mind. Given the recurring advisories on the front and rear sub-frames and the rear suspension mounting areas, a prospective buyer should arrange for the vehicle to be inspected on a ramp, paying particular attention to the structural integrity of the sub-frames, the condition of suspension arm bushes, and the state of the rear coil springs which have already shown surface corrosion. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn bushes or the loose track rod end ball joint flagged in December 2025 becoming more pronounced. Steering should be checked for any vagueness, pulling to one side, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as the track rod end play and previously noted worn front tyres suggest the steering geometry and front end consumables may need attention in the near term. The rear brake discs have been repeatedly noted as worn, pitted, or scored since 2022, so heavy braking from speed should be tested to feel for any brake shudder, and the handbrake holding ability on an incline verified, as corroded or scored rear discs are a common precursor to caliper binding and the need for disc and pad replacement. Beyond the advisory related items, practical age based checks are strongly advisable for a seventeen year old SUV. Tyre sidewalls should be examined closely for cracking, perishing, or bulging, as rubber degrades with age regardless of tread depth, and the spare wheel if fitted should be checked likewise. The 12 volt battery should be tested for its state of health, as units of this age frequently fail without warning, particularly in colder months. Brake fluid, coolant, and if applicable automatic transmission fluid or manual gearbox oil should be confirmed as recently serviced, given the calendar based degradation of these fluids over a seventeen year period. A thorough under bonnet inspection for oil leaks from the engine and power steering system, along with a check of the exhaust for corrosion, blowing joints, and secure mounting, is also worthwhile, while the bodywork and wheel arches should be inspected for any corrosion that may be progressing beyond the sub-frame areas already flagged. Comprehensive service history documentation, particularly evidence of timing chain replacement on the petrol engine variants which are known to be a wear item on high mileage examples, would provide significant reassurance and should be requested before purchase.