2003 Toyota RAV-4 1.8L Petrol · YT53 DPE

The vehicle presents a concerning maintenance trend that has shifted from stable to worsening in recent years. While the car enjoyed a period of clean MOT results between 2017 and 2021, the records from 2022 onwards show a recurring pattern of electrical and mechanical failures. The most recent test on 22 September 2025 at 109,447 miles indicates that while the vehicle passed, it required intervention for corroded front and rear brake pipes and failing tyres. The fact that the vehicle failed earlier that same day due to an inoperative engine MIL and SRS warning lamp suggests that critical electronic monitoring systems have been neglected or are failing. The mileage pattern shows very low usage for a 2003 vehicle, averaging approximately 4,759 miles per year. This low annual accumulation is evident in the steady, incremental increases between test dates, such as the 2,679-mile gap between the October 2024 test and the September 2025 test. While low mileage often implies less mechanical wear, the history suggests this vehicle may have suffered from age-related degradation due to infrequent use. This is supported by the appearance of perishing tyres and corrosion on brake lines, which are common issues when a vehicle sits idle for extended periods. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the braking system and chassis. The MOT history shows a persistent issue with brake pipe corrosion dating back to 2016, which escalated to a failure in September 2025. The tester flagged both front and rear brake pipes as corroded and covered in grease, a condition that can mask the true extent of structural decay. You should also investigate the power steering system following the leak reported in September 2022 and check the integrity of the supplementary restraint system, as the warning lamp has been a recurring failure point. The recurring issues with the engine management light and the SRS lamp indicate potential electrical faults that may be expensive to diagnose. Furthermore, the history of binding brakes and worn suspension components, such as the anti-roll bar linkage noted in 2022, suggests that the vehicle's running gear requires close scrutiny. Given the age and the recent trend of failures, a professional inspection of the underbody for structural rust and a full scan of the onboard diagnostic systems is essential before purchase.