Before you buy a used Toyota RAV4 (V).

Look out for: Three clicks when decelerating, 4x4 versions (up to 28/05/2020); Abnormal noises at low speed when switching between 2WD and 4WD (up to 20/08/2019); "4WD system malfunction" light on (up to 15/08/2021)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: [parking brake] Parking brake light on (up to 29/09/2021); [tank] Low fuel light comes on too early on the PHEV (up to 30/01/2024)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: Fatigue cracks in the front arms of some cars, a failing brake-servo pump (longer braking distance, warning on the dash) and an eCall left inactive.

Ask them to check: Check every campaign by VIN.

Look out for: [multimedia] Multimedia bugs (slow start-up, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto problems, iPhone or Bluetooth connection issues, flat 12 V battery…); [pedals] Accelerator pedal noise from spring vibration; [climate control] Air conditioning compressor noise on the PHEV (up to 05/10/2021)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: The car will not start or does not go to “Ready”; when you unlock it, the dashboard and lights come on weakly or not at all, and several warnings may appear at once. It happens mostly after a few days parked.

Ask them to check: Measure the 12 V battery voltage and load-test it; check that the system recharges it while driving. If it is weak, replace it and ask Toyota whether there is any action for that model. If the car stays parked for days, a battery maintainer helps.

Look out for: [doors and openings] Panoramic roof creaks when open while driving (up to 17/08/2020); [doors and openings] Boot lid will not open (up to 22/06/2022); [doors and openings] Doors cannot be locked with keyless entry (up to 25/11/2024)

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: Hybrid battery cooling maintenance message, warning light with codes P0A80 or P0A7F, a noisy fan and less electric assistance; if ignored, the battery ages faster.

Ask them to check: Clean or replace the filter and clean the fan before condemning the battery; keep the intake grille clear. At the garage, read the codes and, if needed, install the software Toyota specifies.

Look out for: The pump nozzle cuts off early: noticeably fewer litres go in than the advertised 55 l or so (14.5 gallons), and the real range is shorter than shown.

Ask them to check: Fill up to the first click-off and compare the litres with the capacity; ask Toyota by VIN whether there is an update or a revised part.

Look out for: Engine malfunction light on (up to 05/11/2019); Will not start and hybrid system lights come on, 4x4 version; Low engine oil level message

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: 12 V battery drains and the car will not start

Ask them to check: Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Look out for: In sub-zero temperatures with many short trips: milky or discoloured oil on the dipstick and under the filler cap, an “Oil Pressure Low” message on the instrument panel and the engine warning light. Codes P05202A (oil pressure sensor stuck) and P052477 (oil pressure too low).

Ask them to check: With the oil-pressure warning, stop the engine and do not carry on until it is checked. The garage first pressure-tests the cooling system to rule out an internal leak; if there is none, it changes the oil and filter, wipes the milky residue off the cap and checks with the engine warm (coolant at about 50 °C) that the warning and codes do not come back. If they do, the diagnosis must continue with the workshop manual.

Look out for: A high-pitched squeal from the front wheels under light or moderate braking; under hard braking it barely sounds and the car brakes well.

Ask them to check: If the car brakes well and only squeals under gentle braking, tell the garage exactly that and ask them to check the front pads' anti-squeal shims before replacing discs. If it also brakes worse, go to the garage now.

Look out for: Vibration in the steering wheel and the pedal when braking, even gently and at any speed, often shortly after wheels, pads or discs were changed.

Ask them to check: Ask the garage to loosen and re-tighten the nuts with a torque wrench, to the manual's torque and in a star pattern, and to measure whether the discs have been left warped; if so, they will need skimming or replacing.

Look out for: A small coolant leak that drips onto other parts of the engine bay; the “Maintenance Required” message may appear on the instrument panel, or the air conditioning may stop working properly.

Ask them to check: Watch the coolant tank level and look for dried residue or coolant drips in the engine bay. The garage confirms where the leak comes from before replacing the valve; if the air conditioning fails at the same time, check whether coolant has wetted its parts.