2006 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Petrol · YK56 OTH

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding suspension components and rubber seals. While it passed the most recent test in March 2023 at 94,256 miles, it carried multiple defects that were not present in previous years. The appearance of worn wishbone rear compliance bushes on both sides during the 2022 and 2023 tests indicates that the front suspension geometry is reaching the end of its service life. At 94,256 miles, this RAV4 has averaged approximately 4,700 miles per year over its twenty-year life. This low annual usage suggests limited mechanical strain on the engine and drivetrain but often leads to accelerated degradation of rubber components. There is a significant mileage gap of nearly 8,000 miles between the February 2022 and March 2023 tests, during which time the suspension issues deteriorated from a minor advisory to a multi-point failure, and a damaged nearside front brake hose was noted in the 2023 inspection. A buyer must focus specifically on the front suspension to verify if the wishbone bushes and arm pins have been replaced since the 2023 advisory. The tester also flagged a damaged brake hose with shallow teeth marks, which requires a physical inspection to ensure no internal degradation or imminent leakage is present. Furthermore, the 2021 failure for thin inner brake pads suggests that the previous owner only addressed brake maintenance when a test failure occurred. A thorough check for structural corrosion on the subframe is also essential, as low-mileage vehicles of this age often suffer from surface rust if left stationary for long periods.