Toyota Hi-Ace MOT pass rate and common problems
72.7% of 20,962 Toyota Hi-Ace MOT tests pass.
The Hi-Ace passes 72.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Toyota models (82.3%).
The Toyota Hi-Ace passes 72.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Toyota Hi-Ace?
This is the average across every Toyota Hi-Ace in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 75.3% at 3–6 years to 71.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (15) | 15 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 75.3% | 73 | 95,901 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.1% | 415 | 104,422 miles |
| 10–15 years | 77.3% | 3,019 | 134,004 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.7% | 17,440 | 148,861 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Hi-Ace
The most common reason the Toyota Hi-Ace fails its MOT is suspension — present in 61.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 61.9% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 57.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 35.2% | Excessively corroded |
| Body, chassis, structure | 34.5% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 23.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% | Emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit |
| Tyres | 10.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Toyota Hi-Ace: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Hi-Ace’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota Hi-Ace comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 77.3% to 71.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 80.9% down to 74.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 61.9% of failed Toyota Hi-Ace MOTs. 23.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 5.5% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 57.3% of failed Toyota Hi-Ace MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 35.2% of failed Toyota Hi-Ace MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 34.5% of failed Toyota Hi-Ace MOTs. 13.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 2.7% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 23.3% of failed Toyota Hi-Ace MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Toyota models
- Toyota Estima — 86.6% pass rate
- Toyota Land Cruiser — 78.2% pass rate
- Toyota Iq — 83.1% pass rate
- Toyota Alphard — 82.4% pass rate
- Toyota MR2 — 72.3% pass rate
- Toyota Proace — 79.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Hi-Ace?
- 72.7% of Toyota Hi-Ace MOT tests pass, based on 20,962 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Hi-Ace?
- The most common reason the Toyota Hi-Ace fails its MOT is suspension — present in 61.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Hi-Ace?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Hi-Ace are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. 23.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 5.5% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Hi-Ace?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Toyota Hi-Ace's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.