Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Toyota Rav 4?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Toyota Rav 4?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Toyota Rav 4?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2002 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2002 Toyota Rav 4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 6,004 vehicles, the 2002 Toyota Rav 4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Toyota Rav 4?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Toyota Rav 4 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (55.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Toyota Rav 4?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Toyota Rav 4 (2002)

6,004 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.5% first-time pass rate

2002 Toyota Rav 4

CarHunch analysed 6,004 real MOT records for the 2002 Toyota Rav 4. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 RAV-4 sits just below the UK average with a 79.5% first-time pass rate, matching the broader reliability picture—but a quarter of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for a 22-year-old SUV. Petrol and diesel variants perform nearly identically (79.6% vs 78.8%), so fuel choice isn't a deciding factor here.

These RAV-4s are averaging 80,266 miles with typical wear reflected in 3.64 failures and 21 advisories per test—reasonable for their age and mileage spread. If you're considering one, factor in that one in four has shown a serious defect history, so a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake systems, suspension, and steering components is essential.

The 2002 Toyota Rav 4 has a decent first-time pass rate (79.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

79.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.64

Over 16.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

76k

Middle half: 61k–92k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 6,004 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 6,004 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 63.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 49.5%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 30.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 6,004 Toyota Rav 4 cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Toyota Rav 4

Based on MOT data from 6,004 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (84%)	5,025	79.6%	3.66
Diesel (16%)	970	78.8%	3.55

Colour Breakdown

Based on 73,405 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26.9%

19,762

Black 18.4%

13,521

Blue 17.1%

12,569

Grey 16.7%

12,245

Green 7.6%

5,578

Red 5.3%

3,855

Beige 4.1%

2,996

White 2.5%

1,863

Turquoise 0.6%

445

Purple 0.4%

263

Gold 0.3%

228

Brown 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

76,085

typical

60,969

low mileage

92,294

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles fall between 60,969 and 92,294 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 60,969 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 60,969–92,294 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Toyota Rav 4s sit.

⚠ Over 124,596 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Toyota Rav 4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2002 Toyota Rav 4s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,038 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.64

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Toyota Rav 4: All Rav 4 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Toyota Rav 4 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing