Toyota Rav4 (2001)
2001 Toyota Rav4
CarHunch analysed 6,191 real MOT records for the 2001 Toyota Rav4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 RAV4 passes its MOT at almost exactly the UK average of 79.5%, which is solid for a 23-year-old vehicle, but nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a above-average concern that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Petrol and diesel variants perform virtually identically, so fuel type isn't a deciding factor here.
These RAV4s are running at around 85,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're averaging 3.4 failures and nearly 19 advisories per test—suggesting accumulated wear issues rather than catastrophic problems. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work on the advisory items (likely suspension, emissions, and ancillary components on a vehicle this old) and insist on a full service history before committing.
What to check before buying a 2001 Toyota Rav4
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.
- ⚠️ 22.7% 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 Rav4
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92%) | 5,669 | 79.5% | 3.41 |
| Diesel (8%) | 503 | 79.2% | 3.42 |
| LPG (0%) | 12 | 75.6% | 3.75 |
| Other (0%) | 5 | 76.6% | 1.6 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 70% | 6 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 93.8% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Toyota Rav4 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 2001 Toyota Rav4 vehicles fall between 66,250 and 99,481 miles.
2001 Toyota Rav4 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 811 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% 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 — 2001 Toyota Rav4
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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59.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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48.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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30.2%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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28.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Rav4?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.