2016 Toyota RAV4 2.5L Hybrid electric · YA65 YUS

A clear pattern of front and rear suspension component wear has emerged in the MOT record of this 2016 Toyota RAV4, despite an otherwise clean run of passes. Across eight recorded tests spanning 2019 to 2026, the vehicle has never failed, but the advisory trail tells a more nuanced mechanical story. In the most recent test on 13 April 2026, a single advisory was logged for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, and this followed a completely clean pass in April 2025. The April 2024 test, however, recorded a cluster of advisories covering all four suspension arm pins or bushes — nearside and offside at both front and rear — along with a note that the front brake discs were worn, pitted, or scored though not seriously weakened. The earlier August 2023 test had also flagged both front brake discs as worn though not excessively. Taken together, these advisories indicate progressive wear in the suspension linkages and front braking surfaces rather than isolated, one-off observations. The recorded mileage of 46,884 miles over a ten-year period equates to roughly 4,688 miles annually, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The MOT test dates themselves reflect this pattern of relatively light or intermittent use, with annual tests consistently recorded and mileage accumulating gradually between visits. There are no multi-year gaps in testing that would suggest the vehicle has been off the road for extended lay-up periods, and no sudden jumps in mileage that might indicate heavy usage in short bursts. Mechanically, lower annual mileage can reduce wear on high-stress drivetrain components but may also allow corrosion to develop on brake discs, underbody components, and suspension joints that benefit from regular use to keep seals lubricated and surfaces clean. Given that brake disc wear advisories have appeared in consecutive recent tests, the light-use profile is worth weighing against how the components are responding over time. For a prospective buyer, the suspension advisories from the 2024 test deserve particular attention on a physical inspection and test drive. The notes reference wear in the suspension arm pins or bushes across all four corners and specifically identify the rear trailing arm bushes on both sides, so it would be sensible to listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front and rear suspension when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven surfaces. Any vagueness in steering response, imprecise turn-in, or a sense of the front end shifting under load could indicate that the bush deterioration flagged in 2024 has progressed toward the point of excessive movement. A wheel off the ground or a thorough underbody examination by a technician could confirm whether the bushes have worn further since the advisory was issued, as there is no subsequent MOT entry indicating that replacement work was carried out. Equally, the front brake disc advisories from 2023 and 2024 warrant a check for pedal vibration or judder under firm braking, any pulsing through the steering wheel, or scraping or grinding noises, as pitted and scored discs can worsen between tests and may now be approaching the point of requiring replacement rather than simply monitoring. The front tyre advisory from the latest test should also prompt an immediate inspection of all four tyres for age-related cracking, uneven shoulder wear, or tread depth close to the legal minimum, particularly on the offside front where the wear was noted. Because the vehicle has accumulated relatively few miles, the tyres themselves may also be older than their tread depth suggests, so checking the DOT date stamps on the sidewalls would help establish whether they have been standing on the vehicle for prolonged periods and may be approaching the point where the rubber compound hardens and cracks regardless of remaining tread. Beyond these specific items, the broader picture from the MOT history is one of a structurally sound vehicle with no corrosion, exhaust, or lighting advisories ever recorded, but the suspension and brake wear pattern observed over the last three tests suggests that a modest budget for forthcoming suspension bush and possibly front brake disc replacement should be factored into any purchase decision. A pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be advisable to verify the current state of the trailing arm bushes and front disc condition relative to the advisories on file.