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TOYOTA RAV-4 (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 39 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc32 years old39 tests130k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 32 years old, 77% of TOYOTA RAV-4s from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 39 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 129,896 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars107th of 212(top 50%)
Rank among TOYOTA models717th of 996(top 72%)
vs national average-5%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+1%(76% avg)
vs TOYOTA average-7%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

129,896

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4 has 129,896 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2014 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1994 sits between the two at 77%.

TOYOTA RAV-4 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201487%2,31489,044 mi
201386%2,37889,784 mi
201283%2,96892,727 mi
201181%5,769101,091 mi
201081%5,925108,667 mi
200980%2,815111,891 mi
200875%2,882118,412 mi
200773%4,787124,487 mi
200672%5,749125,232 mi
200576%5,613120,527 mi
200475%4,420119,012 mi
200375%3,314120,017 mi
200274%2,212116,302 mi
200176%1,327120,035 mi
200076%463112,097 mi
199973%447124,230 mi
199873%482122,929 mi
199771%447121,927 mi
199672%204122,888 mi
199563%67126,943 mi
199477%39129,896 mi

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About the 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4

The 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 39 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 129,896 miles at 32 years old, TOYOTA RAV-4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1994 TOYOTA RAV-4 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA RAV-4 Reliability Trend

Newer TOYOTA RAV-4s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4

At 32 years old, the TOYOTA RAV-4 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 87%. Note: with only 39 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 32 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 130k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1994 TOYOTA RAV-4 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA RAV-4(1994)77%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1996)76%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1996)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1996)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Toyota Models

Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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