Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Toyota Rav4?

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 1998 Toyota Rav4?

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 1998 Toyota Rav4?

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 1998 Toyota Rav4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 1998 Toyota Rav4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,149 vehicles, the 1998 Toyota Rav4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Toyota Rav4?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Toyota Rav4 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (52.6% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (50.8% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (49.6% 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 1998 Toyota Rav4?

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 Rav4 (1998)

5,149 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.5% first-time pass rate

1998 Toyota Rav4

CarHunch analysed 5,149 real MOT records for the 1998 Toyota Rav4. 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 1998 Toyota RAV4 falls short of the UK average with a 76.5% first-time pass rate, and nearly a quarter of these vehicles have been flagged for dangerous defects at some point—a concern that should weigh on any potential buyer. While the RAV4's reputation for durability is partly earned, these older examples are showing their age more than typical 26-year-old cars.

At nearly 96,000 miles on average, these RAV4s have been well-used, and the high advisory count of 17.2 per vehicle reflects the accumulated wear you'd expect from working family cars of this era. Check the full service history and have any candidate independently inspected, paying particular attention to suspension and brake condition—the most common failure points in vehicles of this age and mileage.

The 1998 Toyota Rav4 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

76.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

22.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.58

Over 13.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

93k

Middle half: 76k–111k

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 17.2 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 5,149 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,149 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 52.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front 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 42.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

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

Exhaust & emissions 33.7%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

Other issues 28.2%

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

Suspension & steering 27.8%

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,149 Toyota Rav4 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Toyota Rav4

Based on MOT data from 5,149 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.7% 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 (100%)	5,138	76.5%	3.58

Colour Breakdown

Based on 162,841 Toyota Rav4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 21.5%

34,938

Blue 17.1%

27,808

Grey 16.5%

26,932

Black 15.5%

25,263

White 10.7%

17,478

Red 7.8%

12,695

Green 6.8%

11,063

Beige 2.5%

4,082

Turquoise 0.6%

996

Brown 0.6%

948

Purple 0.2%

344

Gold 0.2%

294

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Toyota Rav4 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.

92,895

typical

76,119

low mileage

110,954

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Toyota Rav4 vehicles fall between 76,119 and 110,954 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 76,119 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.

✓ 76,119–110,954 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Toyota Rav4s sit.

⚠ Over 149,787 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Toyota Rav4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 15% of 1998 Toyota Rav4s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 456 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% 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

13.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.58

Avg failures per vehicle

17.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Toyota Rav4: All Rav4 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Toyota Rav4 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?