2003 Toyota RAV4 · 17,153 MOT tests
2003 Toyota RAV4 reliability
2003 Toyota RAV4s fail 39% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 RAV4 years (17,153 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota RAV4s: 25.3%)
- 39%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota RAV4s: 25.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 114,864
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 17,153
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 10.3% of tests fail here (32% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 57% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Toyota RAV4
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%
- Suspension14.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.3%
- Brakes9.8%
- Body, chassis and structure6.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%
- Tyres3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.8%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 4.62%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.46%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 4.28%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.68%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.26%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.9%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.77%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.86%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.74%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.66%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.94%)
Other years
Every Toyota RAV4 year
The full picture: Toyota RAV4 reliability. Before you pay for any Toyota RAV4, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
2003 Toyota RAV4s fail 39% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 RAV4 years (17,153 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Toyota RAV4 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.8% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (4.62% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.46% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Toyota RAV4 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Toyota RAV4 shows 114,864 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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