2006 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · WM06 RCV

A twenty-year-old RAV4 with this MOT history tells a story of generally consistent roadworthiness punctuated by specific component wear on tyres and rear brakes, with the most recent test on 26 May 2026 producing a pass alongside a single advisory for front inner tyres worn close to the legal limit on both sides. Over the five recorded tests spanning 2023 to 2026, the vehicle has passed four times and recorded only one failure, which occurred at the same 2025 appointment that also flagged rear brake pad wear. The 2023 and 2024 tests passed with no advisories at all, indicating a stable mechanical position through the middle of the record before the brake and tyre wear items began to surface. There is no pattern of structural, corrosion, suspension, or emissions defects in the recorded history, and the absence of advisory repetition on any single component suggests isolated wear rather than a systemic deterioration. The overall trend is therefore one of largely clean roadworthiness, with the documented concerns limited to consumable items approaching the end of their service life. Against a vehicle age of approximately twenty years, the recorded 81,566 miles equates to an annual accumulation of around 4,078 miles per year, which is notably low for the platform. There are no gaps in the testing history within the recorded window, with annual tests consistently logged from 2023 through 2026, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use throughout this period. Low annual mileage of this nature typically reduces wear on high-mileage items such as the clutch, drivetrain mounts, and engine internals, but it can introduce separate concerns around ageing rubber components, dried seals, and seized mechanisms. The specific wear items observed on tyres and brake pads are consistent with genuine road use rather than prolonged standing, which is a positive indicator that the braking and rolling components have been actively working. For a prospective buyer, the priority items to physically inspect are the front inner tyre edges and the rear brake pads. The 2026 advisory specifies inner-edge wear on both front tyres, so a close visual check of the inner shoulder tread is worthwhile, along with measurement of remaining tread depth across the full width, since uneven inner-edge wear can also indicate worn front suspension components such as top mounts, strut bearings, or tracking irregularities. On the rear brakes, the 2025 advisory noted outer pad material wearing thin, meaning a check of remaining pad thickness through the wheel spokes, an inspection of the rear disc surface for lipping or corrosion, and confirmation that the caliper sliders are free and the handbrake mechanism is functioning correctly should be undertaken before purchase. On a road test, attention should be directed towards brake pedal feel and pulling behaviour, as the recorded rear pad wear warrants verification that the rear calipers are not binding and that the vehicle stops evenly without judder. Steering response and any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces should be monitored, particularly given the front inner tyre wear pattern, which on a vehicle of this age can sometimes be associated with worn front suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, or strut top mounts that would not necessarily have been flagged if not severe enough to fail. A general inspection for any emerging oil leaks from the engine or transmission, condition of the underbody corrosion protection, and thorough check of all exterior and number plate lamps is recommended, given that the 2025 failure specifically concerned a missing rear registration plate lamp. Overall, the documented MOT record is largely clean and free of structural or systemic defects, with the remaining concerns confined to consumable items that can be rectified during routine preparation for the next test.