Toyota Hilux: what fails at MOT
102,000 MOT tests on the Toyota Hilux in 2024, counted. 27.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.9% of Toyota Hilux tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.9%, so the Hilux does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.2% of tests), brakes (7.8% of tests) and suspension (6% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, brakes and body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,387 | 15.6% | 10.9% | 35,600 24,300 to 52,300 |
| 2020 | 7,834 | 18.5% | 11.5% | 44,700 29,100 to 63,500 |
| 2019 | 8,495 | 18.4% | 13.4% | 57,600 39,500 to 81,300 |
| 2018 | 8,731 | 19.2% | 15.6% | 67,700 47,200 to 93,500 |
| 2017 | 8,290 | 19.8% | 18.2% | 75,300 53,500 to 101,900 |
| 2016 | 7,058 | 27.2% | 21.3% | 79,900 56,900 to 107,700 |
| 2015 | 7,892 | 32.5% | 24.4% | 86,300 64,100 to 115,300 |
| 2014 | 6,997 | 35.7% | 27.7% | 94,900 71,000 to 123,700 |
| 2013 | 6,136 | 35.5% | 30.6% | 99,800 75,500 to 130,100 |
| 2012 | 5,716 | 36.0% | 33.4% | 108,100 83,800 to 138,600 |
| 2011 | 5,514 | 40.8% | 36.1% | 118,500 91,400 to 149,800 |
| 2010 | 3,564 | 40.3% | 38.6% | 127,300 97,300 to 160,400 |
| 2009 | 2,544 | 39.2% | 39.8% | 128,800 100,600 to 161,700 |
| 2008 | 2,999 | 42.8% | 41.5% | 135,800 107,200 to 169,600 |
| 2007 | 2,625 | 39.3% | 41.5% | 140,800 110,500 to 176,700 |
| 2006 | 1,481 | 38.6% | 42.4% | 144,100 108,900 to 178,600 |
| 2005 | 1,933 | 35.1% | 42.2% | 130,400 117,900 to 173,700 |
| 2004 | 1,925 | 40.8% | 42.3% | 149,400 115,000 to 193,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Toyota Hilux tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Hilux | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 9.2% | 6.2% |
| Brakes More than most | 7.8% | 3.8% |
| Suspension | 6.0% | 4.9% |
| Body and structure More than most | 3.7% | 1.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Tyres Less than most | 1.9% | 4.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.1% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light2.6%
- Headlamp aim2.3%
- Brake test2.1%
- Wipers2.1%
- Footbrake2.0%
- Coil spring1.8%
- Number plate light1.6%
- Rear fog light1.5%
- Brake light1.5%
- Brake pipes1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.7%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.4%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.2%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Rear fog light: not working1.2%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.8%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.5%
- Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced2.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Toyota Hilux's own MOT record
Looking at a Hilux? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.