2005 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · WN55 AZV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but shows a concerning trend of deteriorating structural integrity and neglect regarding basic consumable maintenance. While it passed its most recent test in December 2024 at 75,894 miles, this followed a significant failure just three days prior at 75,883 miles. The failure revealed multiple critical issues including structural tyre failure, suspension leaks, and advancing corrosion, indicating that while the vehicle is being kept legal on the road, the maintenance approach appears to be reactive rather than proactive. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,600 miles per year. However, the data reveals a significant period of inactivity. Between June 2021 and June 2022, the car covered only 468 miles over twelve months. This long-term storage is likely the cause of the perishing tyres and the grabbing brake calipers noted in the 2022 and 2024 records, as rubber components and hydraulic seals degrade through age and lack of use regardless of how low the odometer reading remains. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear subframe and suspension mounting points. The record consistently flags corrosion in these areas, moving from corroded lower arms in 2022 to a corroded subframe by late 2024. This represents a worsening state of structural rust that will eventually lead to an MOT failure if not monitored. Additionally, the offside front shock absorber shows oil misting as of December 2024, suggesting a failing seal that will soon require a unit replacement. The recurring issues with perishing and under inflated tyres suggest the previous owner ignored basic safety checks for extended periods. The corroded rear brake pipes noted in 2022, which were covered in grease, are a common tactic to hide the true extent of metal decay. Given the age of the vehicle and the documented patterns of rust, the buyer should verify that the chassis remains structurally sound and that the corrosion has not progressed beyond the surface-level observations recorded by the tester.