TOYOTA RAV4 (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 17,327 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,042
£170/month
MOT Pass Rate
96%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 25-38
2487cc Hybrid
Great Choice
96% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 14 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.
At 5 years old, 96% of TOYOTA RAV4s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 17,327 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 28,263 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
28,263
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 has 28,263 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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TOYOTA RAV4 by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 98% | 43 | 20,925 mi | |
| 2022 | 96% | 874 | 24,460 mi | |
| 2021 | 96% | 17,327 | 28,263 mi | |
| 2020 | 95% | 21,063 | 37,470 mi | |
| 2019 | 95% | 15,813 | 42,076 mi | |
| 2018 | 91% | 12,367 | 47,872 mi | |
| 2017 | 89% | 12,682 | 58,953 mi | |
| 2016 | 89% | 12,934 | 66,323 mi | |
| 2015 | 88% | 8,896 | 76,597 mi | |
| 2014 | 87% | 7,762 | 84,598 mi | |
| 2013 | 87% | 7,737 | 90,677 mi | |
| 2012 | 85% | 2,610 | 90,323 mi | |
| 2011 | 85% | 834 | 94,363 mi | |
| 2010 | 79% | 910 | 98,211 mi | |
| 2009 | 76% | 3,006 | 113,712 mi | |
| 2008 | 75% | 6,232 | 117,679 mi | |
| 2007 | 74% | 6,284 | 117,871 mi | |
| 2006 | 74% | 4,339 | 112,901 mi | |
| 2005 | 78% | 5,924 | 112,885 mi | |
| 2004 | 76% | 5,895 | 112,590 mi | |
| 2003 | 75% | 4,621 | 119,254 mi | |
| 2002 | 75% | 3,459 | 123,590 mi | |
| 2001 | 74% | 1,839 | 123,791 mi | |
| 2000 | 74% | 791 | 119,583 mi | |
| 1999 | 74% | 1,509 | 119,127 mi | |
| 1998 | 72% | 1,871 | 121,783 mi | |
| 1997 | 68% | 939 | 118,557 mi | |
| 1996 | 70% | 696 | 116,356 mi | |
| 1995 | 72% | 559 | 120,800 mi | |
| 1994 | 76% | 103 | 114,912 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 TOYOTA RAV4
The 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 is a large car with a 2487cc hybrid engine. 17,327 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It ranks in the top 14% of all 2021 cars for reliability.
With an average of 28,263 miles at 5 years old, TOYOTA RAV4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 TOYOTA RAV4 Fuel Costs
The 2487cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.
What does it cost to own a 2021 TOYOTA RAV4?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
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 2021 TOYOTA RAV4
At 5 years old, the TOYOTA RAV4 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 17,327 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 TOYOTA RAV4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Hybrid Battery Health
Medium riskAfter 5 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.
Inverter and Power Electronics
Low riskThe inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.
Regenerative Braking
Medium riskBrake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA RAV4(2021) | 96% | £1592 | £195 | Grp 25-38 | £2042 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019) | 94% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£270 |
| TOYOTA C-HR(2019) | 92% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£270 |
| TOYOTA COROLLA(2019) | 93% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£270 |
| HONDA CR-V(2019) | 96% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£270 |
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.
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