C3PO

Sorry yes - vehicle handed back fine. Never got the change of ownership documents in the first place from the DVLA so have written to them submitting another form for the road tax refund. They move at glacial speed.

Yes the difference in assessment is something I would like to know too!

Bad news. Took the car to another garage and this assessment: ADVISE 1. ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT ON ( HASN'T BEEN SCANNED ) 2. BRAKE FLUID CHANGE ( 153 DEGREES ) 3. BOTH REAR BRAKE PIPES CORRODED ( HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN SPRAYED OVER WITH UNDER-SEAL 4. OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING MOUNTING EXCESSIVELY CORRODED ( DANGEROUS ) 5. REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKING ( 2 DRIVE-SHAFT SEALS AND INPUT SEAL FROM PROP-SHAFT REQUIRED ) 6. NEARSIDE REAR SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING EXCESSIVELY CORRODED ( DANGEROUS ) 7. OFFSIDE REAR SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING EXCESSIVELY CORRODED ( DANGEROUS ) 8. NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING MOUNTING EXCESSIVELY CORRODED ( DANGEROUS ) 9. OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE HOSE TWISTED 10. NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINK LOWER DUST COVER EXCESSIVELY DETERIORATED NOT PREVENTING THE INGRESS OF DIRT. 11. OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER LEAKING 12. FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE CRACKED 13. NEARSIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ROUGH WHEN ROTATED 14. OFFSIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ROUGH WHEN ROTATED 15. UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE GENERALLY CORRODED ( CORROSION HAS BEEN SPRAYED OVER WITH UNDER-SEAL PREVIOUSLY ) Bought it less than 30 days ago so want to return it now.

Question about cambelt: I know this car has a metal one, but should it still be changed? Especially at high mileage? What would be the cost of the change too please?

Yes, light was out after a reset for around 30 miles, then came back on again. Bought an engine code reader and here is the result:

The RAC-approved garage gave it a look look over today and said no issues! The underside had been sealed and was solid - so no further corrosion there. Pleased!

Dropped the car off at the garage yesterday - should know by midday what needs doing 😐

Well, I have looked at the MOT history and am a bit worried with previous rust problems. My fear is I have bought a bucket. Going into a body shop garage next week for check. What are your thoughts on a car this age? What are the likely repair costs?

You’re right - the fault came back and I have since topped up with BP fuel and added a bottle of STP injectors cleaner (the once every 3,000 miles version) into the tank and taken it for a quick blast on the motorway at 3,500 revs. Light still on when I parked but will watch what happens over the next week or so. If still there, will take it back to the garage as they said they would sort it.

No - service history not available for this car … picked it up fully serviced though. But will take it easy with her.

Had a quick look underneath and yes, there is a propshaft and rear diff in there. So what is the difference between AWD and 4x4 drive?

6,000 or so, but hey she’s old!

Just double checked model number on passenger door and it says: ACA20R-AZMNKW Am I right in thinking this is indeed AWD?

It’s tempting! Don’t want to blow the engine though!!!

Thank you. I do have an issue with a yellow engine light coming on. Garage looked at it and it seemed to be something to do with the fuel? They reset it and I filled it up with BP Premium fuel, and no more issues for about 50 miles. Then it came back on again this morning. Weird and not sure what to do really. Car runs v well. Edit: sensor is new so unlikely to be that?

Apologies yes, it’s the 2.0L petrol model.

PS: checked the CD and the previous owner had left it in there, classic. So Rocking All Over the World, or rather Berkshire, has been blaring out.

Hi, Bought this 2005 RAV4 this week and love it! Great for access to fields etc…99,000 miles on the clock, brakes all replaced with new discs, and runs very smoothly. Manual box. Is there anything I need to particularly take notice of / get sorted? The bodywork is in good condition with some minor chips/scratches. Underneath the inevitable signs of some corrosion, but not bad. One of the shocks looks like it is leaking oil, but not 100% sure. Grateful for your thoughts on keeping this going as well as can be.

I have just had this on a 2005 Rav4 I bought yesterday. 99,000 miles on the clock but goes great. Took it back to the garage and they hooked up the analyser to it. Mechanic said put in BP or Shell fuel, and see if that fixes it. It has! Not happened since.