2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
  Toyota RAV4

  10.8% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At 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.

• Tyre pressure monitoring system14.5× usual
  Toyota RAV4

  2.9% All 2013 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

• Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
  Toyota RAV4

  3.2% All 2013 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  30% 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.

• Tyres
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  23% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% 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 mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2013 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.

• Rattles and vibration

  All engines

  Some owners report rattles that feel like a failed dual-mass flywheel but are usually the exhaust or a manifold cover.

  At the viewing: Listen at idle and pulling away.

  Source: Auto Express: used Toyota RAV4 (Mk4, 2013-2018) review

• Tyre pressure warning

  All engines

  Tyre pressure warnings usually mean the system wasn’t reset after new tyres were fitted.

  At the viewing: Make sure no tyre warning shows.

  Source: Auto Express: used Toyota RAV4 (Mk4, 2013-2018) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tyre pressure monitoring system? (Flagged at MOT 14.5× as often on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?