Toyota Rav 4 (2003)
2003 Toyota Rav 4
CarHunch analysed 6,381 real MOT records for the 2003 Toyota Rav 4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 RAV-4 sits right at the UK average with a 79.9% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 28.1% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above the typical threshold—making pre-purchase inspection essential. Petrol and diesel versions perform similarly (80.2% vs 79.2%), so fuel type won't be a deciding factor here.
At 74,000 miles median, these cars show typical wear for their age, yet they're racking up an average of 3.85 failures and 23.1 advisories per test, suggesting ageing suspension, seals, and electrical gremlins are commonplace. Before committing to a purchase, budget for suspension work and get a full specialist inspection focusing on the areas that repeatedly fail in the MOT data—don't rely on the first test pass alone.
What to check before buying a 2003 Toyota Rav 4
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 28.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Toyota Rav 4
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (72%) | 4,611 | 80.2% | 3.87 |
| Diesel (28%) | 1,767 | 79.2% | 3.78 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 72.9% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles fall between 58,071 and 90,090 miles.
2003 Toyota Rav 4 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,484 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (28% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Toyota Rav 4
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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63.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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55.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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47.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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31.3%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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30.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Rav 4?
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