Diesel Toyota Rav-4: MOT pass rate

71.8% of diesel Toyota Rav-4s pass the MOT first time, measured across 19,234 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 114,613.

Diesel against the other Toyota Rav-4 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Toyota Rav-4 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 72.1%, and this diesel version sits 0.1 points below the 71.9% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Toyota Rav-4 had covered 114,613 miles at test, against 109,216 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Toyota Rav-4 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Toyota Rav-4

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.7% of tests (6.47x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 1.7% of tests (4.05x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.6% of tests (3.77x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.3% of tests (2.88x the national rate for this defect)
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.1% of tests (2.86x the national rate for this defect)
6. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.3% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect)
7. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 1.8% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
8. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 4.3% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect)
9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.2% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.2% of tests (1.38x the national rate for this defect)

From 19,345 DVSA-tracked diesel Toyota Rav-4 tests, 2024, split out from the Toyota Rav-4's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.81% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Toyota Rav-4

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 6.9% of tests (4.58x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5.1% of tests (4.13x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 20.1% of tests (3.88x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 18% of tests (3.8x the national rate for this defect)
5. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.7% of tests (3.35x the national rate for this defect)
6. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 3.8% of tests (3x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 17.9% of tests (2.89x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 28.2% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this defect)
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6.9% of tests (1.76x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 19.2% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)

From 19,345 DVSA-tracked diesel Toyota Rav-4 tests, 2024.

Other Toyota Rav-4 fuel types

• Petrol Toyota Rav-4 - 72.1%

All Toyota Rav-4 MOT data · Every model