Faults:

Just wear and tear. One front wheel bearing. Front brake pads. Rear box on exhaust. Tyres. Steering rack.

General Comments:

When my old Vauxhall Cavalier finally failed his MOT, I needed a practical vehicle for my dog walking business. Bought a 1999 RAV4 as it ticked all the boxes. Low entry at the rear for dogs to jump in, also side opening door so dogs can't just jump out. Reasonable handling. Good visibility. Easy parking. Easy getting in and out for me (do a lot of that when collecting/returning dogs to their homes). Plenty of room....though I have to say, rear passenger space for humans must have been modeled on small Japanese people.

Faults:

Water pump @ 126k.

Timing belt @ 88k and 126k.

Timing belt broke @ 174k; replaced tensioner.

Shocks and struts @ 100k and 170k.

Brakes @ 85k and 172k.

Spark plugs @ 80k and 150k.

General Comments:

Overall it has been a great little car. Outside of the water pump and broken timing belt, maintenance has been routine. 10,000 mile oil changes on Mobil 1 synthetic since 90k, recently down to 5k. Still runs great, is burning oil after 3000 miles on a change, about a quart per 1000 miles then, but a fresh change keeps it at bay for another 3000 miles.

This car wears tires like crazy, I have a set of Michelin LTX A/S on there now, and it looks like they might make it 30k; the car is lined up and the tires are inflated properly. But these will last longer than any other tire we have had on the vehicle.

Faults:

When purchased, it needed front struts (183000 kms).

Front wheel bearing needed replacement at 300000 kms, then again 1 year later.

Rear shocks worn out at 375000 kms.

Factory replacement batteries every 2 years here in Canada. If you put the largest battery in, that will fit every 5 years.

Water pump shredded timing belt at 383000 kms - only real breakdown to date.

My have started burning oil recently, but at almost 400000 kms I'm not complaining.

General Comments:

Our little RAV has served us extremely well!

My wife is partially disabled, and it is one of the few cars that will fit her with the AWD we need living in rural Canada.

The fuel economy was a little poorer than we expected, given the anemic power at 26-28 MPG and 32 MPG strict highway, but still not out of line.

The back seat is a little small for a child seat or large adults, but for people who really don't need the back seat regularly, this is not a big deal. The front seats are comfortable, and don't get uncomfortable, even on long road trips.

All in all, we would get another one if we didn't have a baby and now need a larger back seat, and we would likely have put up with the small back seat if the kms were not so high.

I would highly recommend this capable little SUV to any couples or single people, but if you have a family, you will feel a little cramped.

Faults:

Fifth gear went out twice fairly early in ownership. Dealer fixed first time under warranty; second time just past it lapsing, but didn't charge me, and it's been fine ever since.

Water pump blew at 120000 km, and transmission bearings went around 190.

General Comments:

Although I've noted the above overall issues, the car has otherwise been incredible in terms of upkeep and repairs. It burns a modest amount of oil, but I've never touched the back brakes, and still have original radiator, suspension, alternator, starter, etc.

A friend did the front brakes twice, fifty dollars each time in parts -- a grand total of only $100 in brake repairs with such high km!!

Drives well, great alignment and ride. Incredibly reliable and fun to drive. I commute 80kms each way to work, and paint with it on weekends. I'm really getting my use out of it, and plan to buy another of similar model year with far fewer kms when this one goes. I'm hoping to hit 5 to 600 000 kms.