Buy a v.high miler 2001 rav4 auto ?..good or bad !

At first scan it looks good apart from scratches on the spare wheel cover and the price isn't excessive; 3-dr autos can command high (some would say silly) prices. The bodywork looks straight and the OEM side-steps are a worthwhile addition (they keep alot of the road grit and crud off the sills and lower doors).
The headlights seem pretty good without any yellowing that can occur with age. Can't tell what tyres are fitted but as it has a current MoT they are presumably acceptable.

Given the mileage, the engine bay looks OK and there are no references to oil leaks in the MoT history.

The MoT history looks good up to about 135K miles when the care of the vehicle seems to have slipped bearing in mind the advisories and failures thereafter, but those things have presumably been put right as the car subsequently passed. Worth asking the dealer how many owners it has had and also whether there is any service history, especially whether the g/box ECU has been re-flashed. It's good that there are no indications of corrosion in the MoTs; although RAV4s are not prone to any serious rust, cars that have lived on the coast can suffer.

It's also interesting that the car comes with a warranty - it's important to ask if that is included in the price or is it an extra, also, what are then terms and any cost limits - there are bound to be at this age of vehicle.

Of course you need to make the normal checks and inspections that you would do with any car. Give it a good test drive and note how it runs and handles. The 3-dr ride can seem a little choppy and firm because of the SWB but it should feel tight. Also the VVTi engine and the autobox are a brilliant drive train and should perform smoothly and quietly. The autobox is a 3-speed with overdrive so in fact a 4-speed. The overdrive defaults to "0n" unless you switch it off using a switch on the gear selector. Oil consumption should be negligible to none although it is not the most economical engine on fuel. Expect anything between 25 and 35 MPG depending upon how it has been maintained. There is a fuel consumption read-out on the radio display that you can access by pressing the "Trip/Navi" button; it cycles through average speed, average MPG and instantaneous MPG.The avrg MPG will give you an indication of past consumption (assuming it hasn't been zeroed!)

We have had RAV4s almost continuously since 2002 - 4 X 4.2 automatics, 1 x 4.2 diesel manual and 1 later 4.3 diesel auto. Our current RAV is a 2004 3-dr auto. You won't be surprised that I would heartily recommend them. They are a brilliant, reliable, robust SUV.

Thanks very much... trouble is they are in Redditch, Worcestershire and I am in Cheshire. Its unlikely I will be able to travel to see it, so unless there is anyone in the club that lives near there I would have to buy based on the pictures and description

Any suggestions ?

cheers

I have just bought a 2004 3 door manual as my first Rav4 and i have got to say that they are awesome, mine is replacing a 1980 SWB Land Rover that has become too valuable to use as a dog walking/green laner. Mechanically mine is spot on, but currently a bit scratched and bumped (to be sorted), all i need to do is replace discs and pads on the rear axle, front shock absorbers (light misting) and brake pipes (because i'm doing the rear disc/pads).
This might sound a lot, but they are all consumables and should be replaced/renewed on a regular basis; parts are relatively cheap and easy to access.

I would also recommend seeing if the driver's airbag recall has been done, if not book it in at your nearest dealership and they will sort it and give you a visual check on the vehicle and a complimentary car wash!

Good point "young’ Kev....the cost was too steep to put my daughter on my current RAV4 😳

Thanks for the insurance comments.. its ok its only £600 for all 4 of us on the car fully comp so that's ok

Sounds like it could be a great car OR it could be a ringer

I have tried emailing them twice no answer and cant get through on the phone

Anyone in Redditch that could drive past for me and take a look for a bottle of wine !

Maybe ?..

I wanted to keep the cost down as its 2nd car BUT would consider higher for the better car