2006 Toyota RAV-4 2.0L Diesel · ST06 ACV

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 21 November 2025, although this followed immediately after a failure on 20 November 2025 in which the headlamp aim on both sides and a significantly worn rear brake disc were cited as major defects. When viewed across the three-year DVSA history available, the maintenance trend appears to be gradually worsening rather than stable or improving. The 2023 test was a clean pass with only advisories, but each subsequent test has introduced more substantial structural and mechanical concerns, including front coil spring corrosion appearing in 2024 and carrying through to 2025, sub-frame and underbody corrosion noted in 2023, brake hose and brake pipe corrosion flagged in 2024, and a defective rear gearbox mounting alongside further corrosion advisories in 2025. The recurrence of corrosion-related advisories across consecutive tests suggests an underlying deterioration of underbody components that warrants close physical examination. With 153,419 miles recorded on a 2006 vehicle, this Toyota RAV-4 is approximately twenty years old and has covered around 7,671 miles per year on average, which is broadly typical for its age. There is no evidence of unusually low mileage or long periods of standing, which is generally favourable for a vehicle of this vintage, as low-use cars of this age often suffer from seized calipers, perished rubber, and degraded fluids. Equally, the mileage is not so high as to suggest extreme mechanical wear, and many examples of this generation RAV-4 with regular maintenance are known to exceed this figure with the drivetrain intact. That said, at this cumulative mileage, the engine, transmission, and ancillary drive components will be well into their serviceable life, and a thorough inspection of the timing chain, automatic gearbox fluid condition, and transfer box or differential oil is strongly advised. The most pressing items from the MOT history centre on the front coil spring corrosion advisories issued at both the 2024 and 2025 tests. Coil springs are a critical suspension component, and when corrosion is visible on the surface it typically indicates that the protective coating has failed, with the potential for the spring to fracture under load. On a test drive, listen for any metallic clunk or knock from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, and visually inspect the springs for surface pitting, flaking, or any signs of cracking, particularly at the lower coils where stress is concentrated. The 2025 advisory regarding a defective rear gearbox mounting at the differential is also significant; a worn or collapsed mounting can allow drivetrain vibration to transmit into the chassis, producing a discernible shudder or vibration under load, particularly during acceleration. This should be inspected by physically rocking the drivetrain to detect excess play. The rear brake disc that was condemned as significantly worn in 2025 is an important point, as a vehicle that has passed its test with a new or recently machined disc should be confirmed. When test driving, listen for any scraping, grinding, or pulsation through the brake pedal, and check for uneven pad wear on the rear axle, which would suggest caliper slide pin seizure given the age of the vehicle. The repeated advisories regarding corrosion to the rear brake hose ferrule, rear brake pipe unions, and rear sub-frame, alongside the noted underseal covering the underside, indicate a long-term corrosion pattern that may obscure further deterioration. A buyer should arrange for the vehicle to be placed on a ramp to inspect the underbody, with particular attention to the rear sub-frame integrity, floor pans, and the condition of brake lines where the underseal has been applied. Given the age and the recurring corrosion advisories, it would also be prudent to verify the age and condition of the tyres, as twenty-year-old vehicles are prone to sidewall perishing regardless of tread depth, and to check that brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid have been changed in line with calendar-based service intervals rather than purely mileage. Finally, although the headlamp aim defects recorded in 2024 and 2025 were rectified, a buyer should confirm that the headlamp lens units are not excessively faded or crazed, as UV degradation on a vehicle of this age frequently results in failed beam pattern tests.