2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Toyota RAV4 first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 4,154 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Rigid brake pipes1.8× usualToyota RAV48.8% All 2012 cars5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
- Link ball joint covers2.1× usualToyota RAV44.2% All 2012 cars2%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Corroded fuel pipes10.5× usualToyota RAV42.1% All 2012 cars0.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Engine oil leaks: 1.2% here, against 6% of all 2012 cars. Ball joint: 1.5% here, against 5.2% of all 2012 cars.
Common 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension32% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes31% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres24% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Lights and electrics18% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Rust and bodywork4% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Known faults on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Manual gearbox
Notchy gearbox and clutch problems
The manual gearbox can be stiff and notchy, some cars wouldn't go into first or second, and clutches can give trouble.
At the viewing: Try every gear from a standstill and on the move, and check the clutch bites smoothly.
- Diesel
EGR valve (diesel)
The diesel's EGR valve can be a problem.
At the viewing: Look for a smooth idle and clean pull, with no warning lights.
- All engines
Warped brake discs and leaky door seals
Brake discs can warp, especially after heavy towing, and door seals can let water in.
At the viewing: Feel for juddering through the pedal when braking, and check the carpets for damp.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 10.5× as often on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Toyota RAV4?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Toyota RAV4 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 285 | Tyres 7% |
| 2022 | 11,039 | Tyres 19% |
| 2021 | 24,915 | Tyres 20% |
| 2020 | 35,738 | Tyres 20% |
| 2019 | 26,847 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 21,851 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 23,447 | Tyres 27% |
| 2016 | 22,873 | Tyres 26% |
| 2015 | 16,133 | Tyres 26% |
| 2014 | 14,166 | Tyres 27% |
| 2013 | 13,493 | Brakes 30% |
| 2011 | 1,453 | Suspension 33% |
| 2010 | 1,393 | Suspension 36% |
| 2009 | 4,972 | Suspension 49% |
| 2008 | 10,093 | Suspension 53% |
| 2007 | 10,125 | Suspension 53% |
| 2006 | 7,049 | Suspension 49% |
| 2005 | 10,070 | Brakes 43% |
| 2004 | 9,952 | Brakes 46% |
| 2003 | 8,040 | Suspension 43% |
| 2002 | 5,797 | Brakes 44% |
| 2001 | 3,040 | Brakes 45% |
| 2000 | 1,443 | Suspension 41% |
| 1999 | 1,449 | Suspension 41% |
| 1998 | 1,732 | Suspension 41% |
| 1997 | 857 | Suspension 44% |
| 1996 | 709 | Suspension 40% |
| 1995 | 514 | Suspension 41% |
| 1994 | 108 | Suspension 42% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota RAV4 cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score