2006 Toyota RAV-4 2.2L Diesel · YE56 WYC

The vehicle holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 24 November 2025 at 151,462 miles, but the maintenance trend over the preceding twelve months is clearly worsening. The 10 November 2025 failure exposed multiple serious defects that were rectified within fourteen days, yet the subsequent pass still carried four advisory items, including corrosion to the rear sub-frame, rear suspension arm, and both inner sills, plus both front tyres worn close to the legal limit. A pass is a snapshot of compliance on a single day, not evidence of long-term care, and the pattern here suggests reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The mileage progression tells a story of very light recent use. Between the October 2023 pass at 132,546 miles and the November 2025 test at 151,462 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 18,900 miles in just over two years, averaging around 9,450 miles per year. That figure sits slightly above the vehicle's lifetime average of approximately 7,573 miles per year, but the jump is concentrated in a narrow window. The gap between October 2023 and November 2024 shows only 8,853 miles added, yet the following twelve months saw just 266 miles recorded between the failed and passed tests in November 2025. This suggests the vehicle may have stood idle for extended periods, which is often more damaging to brakes, seals, and tyres than regular use. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear suspension and underside structure. The fractured offside rear coil spring and corroded nearside rear coil spring flagged in the November 2025 failure point to a suspension system under stress, and the rear sub-frame and rear suspension arm corrosion advisories on the subsequent pass confirm that rust remains an active concern. The rear brake pipe was leaking and corroded at the same test, indicating the hydraulic system has suffered moisture ingress or age-related deterioration. Check for binding calipers, uneven disc wear, and any signs of fresh pipe replacements that may mask ongoing corrosion elsewhere along the brake lines. The underside rust advisories appearing consistently from 2023 through 2025, combined with inner sill corrosion noted in the most recent test, warrant a thorough inspection of structural integrity on a lift. Surface corrosion is common on a twenty-year-old vehicle, but the repeated flagging of sub-frame and suspension arm corrosion raises the question of whether the corrosion has progressed to the point of weakening. Exhaust emissions failures in both 2023 and 2025 suggest the engine or after-treatment system has a recurring issue that may not be permanently resolved. A compression test and a live emissions check would be prudent before committing to purchase.