Toyota Rav4 (2006)
2006 Toyota Rav4
CarHunch analysed 4,737 real MOT records for the 2006 Toyota Rav4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 RAV4 matches the UK average pass rate at 79.8%, but a serious red flag emerges: 37.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, nearly double the typical concern threshold—this is a material buyer risk you need to factor in. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (79.9% vs 79.3%), so fuel choice won't meaningfully affect reliability here.
These RAV4s are running at 75,233 miles on average, which is reasonable for 18-year-old vehicles, but they're generating an alarming 23.7 advisories per test and 3.66 failures, indicating persistent maintenance issues across the fleet. Before purchasing one, obtain its full MOT history and specifically check for any dangerous defects recorded—suspension, braking, and structural problems appear to be recurring themes on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2006 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.
- ⚠️ 37.4% 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
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 (76%) | 3,596 | 79.9% | 3.69 |
| Diesel (24%) | 1,135 | 79.3% | 3.61 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 91.7% | 0.33 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 74.8% | 4.5 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 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 2006 Toyota Rav4 vehicles fall between 56,619 and 84,259 miles.
2006 Toyota Rav4 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,939 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% 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 — 2006 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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55.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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49.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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45.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.6%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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33.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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33.3%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. 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.