Can you help me choose which Toyota RAV4 to go for?

Which would you go for: an old Toyota RAV4 with lower mileage or a younger model with higher mileage (2007 with 26k for €10k or 2008 with 44k for €10,800). Also, auto or manual? Lastly, do they suffer from clutch issues? Test drove a 2008 version today and clutch was heavy.

Sharon O'Reilly (Dublin)

Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

---

Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

Short answer - yes, the clutch is one of the few major reliability weak points on the RAV4. The gearshift was always a bit heavy, so ignore that, but if the clutch feels wrong or is making any untoward noises, it needs replacing. Of course, an automatic version would get you around that issue, and there's no tax penalty for the extra emissions - both versions will cost you €750 a year to tax. Generally speaking it's best to get the lower mileage car, but the rule, as ever, is to buy on condition and history, not mileage. If the higher miles car has been better cared for, it's the better option.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe