Used car guide

2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Toyota RAV4 first registered in 2016 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 7,413 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,413MOTs of 2016 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)
8,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Toyota RAV4
    10.9% All 2016 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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.

  • Suspension
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • 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 2016 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Toyota RAV4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023285Tyres 7%
202211,039Tyres 19%
202124,915Tyres 20%
202035,738Tyres 20%
201926,847Tyres 23%
201821,851Tyres 27%
201723,447Tyres 27%
201516,133Tyres 26%
201414,166Tyres 27%
201313,493Brakes 30%
20124,697Suspension 30%
20111,453Suspension 33%
20101,393Suspension 36%
20094,972Suspension 49%
200810,093Suspension 53%
200710,125Suspension 53%
20067,049Suspension 49%
200510,070Brakes 43%
20049,952Brakes 46%
20038,040Suspension 43%
20025,797Brakes 44%
20013,040Brakes 45%
20001,443Suspension 41%
19991,449Suspension 41%
19981,732Suspension 41%
1997857Suspension 44%
1996709Suspension 40%
1995514Suspension 41%
1994108Suspension 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 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score