Is the Toyota RAV4 reliable?
While widely agreed to be very reliable, there are still some things to watch out for when buying a used Toyota RAV4:
Engine: The coolant bypass valve, which regulates the flow of coolant to the engine, can fail, causing overheating, leaks and, in extreme cases, engine darnage. The high-voltage cable that connects the battery to the rear electric motor on AWD models can corrode, causing it to fail and stop the car from working. Confusingly, some dealers will fix this under warranty while others want to charge owners more than £10,000 to rectify it (see above). Other engine issues include faulty ignition coils, water pumps, alternators and air-conditioning compressors. Keep an eye on the oil level: the petrol engine can be known for its high consumption.
Bodywork: The roof rail fixing points can leak rainwater into the cabin, staining the headliner. Faulty seals are often the culprit. Water can leak down the A-pillar and behind the dashboard, but this is very rare. Water can build up in the door panel when the door's drain holes become clogged, so keep them clear of debris.
Interior: Laggy or unresponsive infotainment screens and issues with smartphone mirroring aren't uncommon. Software issues can resolve some glitches, but the worst-case scenario is that the entire system will need to be replaced under warranty.
Electrics: Electrical gremlins can affect various buttons, such as the window switches. Check that they all work properly.
