Comparison · family SUVs

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Toyota RAV4 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 101 for the Hyundai Tucson, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 262,869 real MOT tests in 2024.

Hyundai Tucson

101About average
MOT tests135,094

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average
MOT tests127,775

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4
3–5 years
100About average
106Above average
6–9 years
102About average
107Above average
10–14 years–
115Well above average
15+ years
94Below average
107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4
202187.7%92.1%
202084.3%91.3%
201985.0%90.9%
201883.6%85.8%
201780.5%84.3%
201679.4%84.3%
201575.5%81.4%
201059.2%68.8%
200957.1%65.8%
200855.6%61.3%
200753.8%59.5%
200650.1%59.3%
200552.9%63.4%
200452.6%61.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4
Brakes8.68.5
Lights & electrics3.611.0
Suspension2.29.6
Tyres5.14.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.54.4
Emissions & leaks1.73.8
Body & chassis0.83.3
Seat belts & airbags0.31.2

Hyundai Tucson: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.8%
  6. Parking brake control - lever: has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment0.6%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 101 for the Hyundai Tucson, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2004–2021). The Hyundai Tucson had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Toyota RAV4 in 14.

What fails most on each?

Hyundai Tucson: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.