Models · Toyota
Toyota RAV4 XA40 buying guide
The fourth-generation RAV4, sold from 2013 to 2018 with a 2.0 petrol and 2.0 and 2.2 D-4D diesels, in front or four-wheel drive. It has a good reliability record, and the checks are few and specific.
The versions
- 2.0 VVT-i petrol: 149bhp, automatic and four-wheel drive only
- 2.0 D-4D diesel: 122bhp at launch, manual, front-wheel drive (four-wheel drive offered from January 2014)
- 2.2 D-4D diesel: 148bhp, four-wheel drive, manual or automatic, until the late 2015 facelift
- From the late 2015 facelift: BMW-engineered 2.0 diesel, 141bhp, manual and front-wheel drive
- A 2.5 hybrid joined in 2016 and isn't covered here
What to check on a XA40 RAV4
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Rattles and vibration on a diesel
What to look for: With the engine idling and then as you pull away in a low gear, listen for rattles and feel for vibration through the pedals and floor. Note where a rattle seems to come from: under the car, or deeper in the engine bay at idle.
Why it matters: Owners have reported rattles and vibration, usually traced to the exhaust or the cover over the exhaust manifold rather than the dual-mass flywheel. Flywheel failure has still been recorded on a D-4D diesel, so a persistent rattle is worth having diagnosed before buying.
Signs of heavy off-road use
What to look for: Look underneath for caked mud, scraped sills and bumpers, and damage to the underside, and in the wheel arches for dried mud.
Why it matters: The RAV4 was never sold as an off-roader, and ground clearance is a modest 187mm. It isn't built for a lot of mud work, so a car that has clearly been used that way is one to pass over in favour of a cleaner example.
Sunroof leaks and alloy corrosion
What to look for: On a car with a sunroof, feel the headlining around the glass and the carpets for damp. Look at the wheels for corrosion bubbling under the paint. Check the headlights: light condensation should clear soon after they're switched on.
Why it matters: Sunroof water leaks and alloy wheel corrosion have both come up in owner surveys of this generation. Some light condensation in the headlights is normal and clears with the lights on.
Also in the full guide
- Recall work on 2015 to 2017 cars
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the XA40 RAV4
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Toyota.