Get Started
Toyota

Toyota Rav4 (2021)

9,338 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94.6% first-time pass rate

2021 Toyota Rav4

CarHunch analysed 9,338 real MOT records for the 2021 Toyota Rav4. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is exceptionally reliable, with a 94.6% first-time pass rate that far exceeds the UK average of 80%—and only 3% of vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low. Nearly all RAV4s on the road are hybrid models, and they're performing exactly as well as the overall cohort suggests.

At around 29,000 miles median for a three-year-old car, these RAV4s are running below typical mileage, which partly explains the stellar pass rates; more tellingly, they average just 0.17 failures per vehicle and 1.1 advisories, pointing to genuinely robust engineering rather than light use alone. If you're considering a 2021 RAV4, prioritize one with a full service history and have an independent pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension and brake components, since that's where the small percentage of issues typically emerge.

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (94.6% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass
94.6%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
3%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.17
Over 2.3 tests on record
Low
Typical mileage
29k
Middle half: 21k–39k
For context
✅ Good baseline reliability. A 94.6% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 9,338 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.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 9,338 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 29.8%
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 slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 8.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 7.8%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · …
Wipers & washers 3.9%
Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 9,338 Toyota Rav4 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2021 Toyota Rav4

Based on MOT data from 9,338 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 3% 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 ClickMechanic →
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (100%) 9,318 94.6% 0.17

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 2021 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.

29,182
typical
21,269
low mileage
39,182
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Toyota Rav4 vehicles fall between 21,269 and 39,182 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
✓ Under 21,269 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.
✓ 21,269–39,182 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Toyota Rav4s sit.
⚠ Over 52,895 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.17
Avg failures per vehicle
1.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Toyota Rav4: All Rav4 years → Which year to buy? →
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023

Or browse all models: Toyota →

Toyota logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Toyota Rav4 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?