Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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 2013 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

29% 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 2013 Toyota Rav 4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,589 vehicles, the 2013 Toyota Rav 4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Toyota Rav 4?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Toyota Rav 4 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47.3% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (45.8% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.4% 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 2013 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 (2013)

1,589 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.8% first-time pass rate

2013 Toyota Rav 4

CarHunch analysed 1,589 real MOT records for the 2013 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 2013 RAV-4 passes its MOT first time at 86.8%, which is a solid 6.8 points above the UK average—a genuine reliability strength for a now-ageing SUV. However, nearly 29% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a material concern for a buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

These cars are typically running around 63,000 miles at test time, which is reasonable for their age and suggests moderate usage. The average vehicle picks up 1.59 failures and 11.4 advisories per test, pointing to wear-related issues rather than systemic failures—so budget for preventative maintenance on suspension and ancillary components, and always request the full MOT history before committing to a purchase.

The 2013 Toyota Rav 4 has a decent first-time pass rate (86.8%), 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

86.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

28.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.59

Over 10.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

62k

Middle half: 49k–80k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 86.8% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 11.4 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 1,589 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 1,589 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 47.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Brake wear 45.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 15.9%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,589 Toyota Rav 4 cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Toyota Rav 4

Based on MOT data from 1,589 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 28.5% 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
Diesel (92%)	1,455	86.8%	1.61
Petrol (8%)	134	86.9%	1.4

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 2013 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.

62,250

typical

48,734

low mileage

80,145

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Toyota Rav 4 vehicles fall between 48,734 and 80,145 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 48,734 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.

✓ 48,734–80,145 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Toyota Rav 4s sit.

⚠ Over 108,195 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Toyota Rav 4 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Toyota Rav 4s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 1,346 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* 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

10.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.59

Avg failures per vehicle

11.4

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 2013 Toyota Rav 4 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing