CarCostCheck

TOYOTA RAV4 (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,924 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Diesel

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1857/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1998cc21 years old5,924 tests113k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1998cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,857
Per month£155/mo
Per week£36/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

78% 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 21 years old, 78% of TOYOTA RAV4s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,924 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 112,885 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars169th of 526(top 32%)
Rank among TOYOTA models664th of 996(top 67%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+6%(72% avg)
vs TOYOTA average-6%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

112,885

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 TOYOTA RAV4 has 112,885 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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 2021 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2005 sits between the two at 78%.

TOYOTA RAV4 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202398%4320,925 mi
202296%87424,460 mi
202196%17,32728,263 mi
202095%21,06337,470 mi
201995%15,81342,076 mi
201891%12,36747,872 mi
201789%12,68258,953 mi
201689%12,93466,323 mi
201588%8,89676,597 mi
201487%7,76284,598 mi
201387%7,73790,677 mi
201285%2,61090,323 mi
201185%83494,363 mi
201079%91098,211 mi
200976%3,006113,712 mi
200875%6,232117,679 mi
200774%6,284117,871 mi
200674%4,339112,901 mi
200578%5,924112,885 mi
200476%5,895112,590 mi
200375%4,621119,254 mi
200275%3,459123,590 mi
200174%1,839123,791 mi
200074%791119,583 mi
199974%1,509119,127 mi
199872%1,871121,783 mi
199768%939118,557 mi
199670%696116,356 mi
199572%559120,800 mi
199476%103114,912 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2005 TOYOTA RAV4

The 2005 TOYOTA RAV4 is a family car with a 1998cc diesel engine. 5,924 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 112,885 miles at 21 years old, TOYOTA RAV4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 TOYOTA RAV4 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2005 TOYOTA RAV4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA RAV4 Reliability Trend

Newer TOYOTA RAV4s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 TOYOTA RAV4

At 21 years old, the TOYOTA RAV4 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 5,924 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 TOYOTA RAV4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 113k 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.

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 2005 TOYOTA RAV4 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA RAV4(2005)78%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2007)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2007)71%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
HONDA CIVIC(2007)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£193
AUDI A3(2007)75%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£262

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

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Related Guides

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