Toyota Highlander MOT pass rate and common problems
94.2% of 1,302 Toyota Highlander MOT tests pass.
The Highlander passes its MOT 94.2% of the time — well above the average across all Toyota models, which sits at 82.3%.
The Toyota Highlander passes its MOT 94.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Toyota Highlander?
This is the average across every Toyota Highlander 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 declines noticeably with age, from 95.4% at 0–3 years to 86.3% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.4% | 918 | 28,385 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.1% | 280 | 35,249 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.5% | 37 | 112,192 miles |
| 10–15 years | 86.3% | 51 | 112,795 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (16) | 16 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Highlander
The most common reason the Toyota Highlander fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 78.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 78.1% | Too high |
| Tyres | 32.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 21.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 15.3% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 7.3% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.5% | Webbing significantly weakened |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.7% | Insecure |
Buying a used Toyota Highlander: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Highlander’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 Highlander comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 92.1% to 86.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 95.6% down to 88.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 78.1% of failed Toyota Highlander MOTs. 49.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.1% at 0–3 years.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 32.8% of failed Toyota Highlander MOTs. 16.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres, against 3.5% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 21.9% of failed Toyota Highlander MOTs. 13.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 15.3% of failed Toyota Highlander MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 21.6% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes.
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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 7.3% of failed Toyota Highlander MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
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.
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 Noah — 89.3% pass rate
- Toyota Granvia — 70.9% pass rate
- Toyota Carina — 69.9% pass rate
- Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon — 76.9% pass rate
- Toyota Dyna — 65.9% pass rate
- Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado — 70.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Highlander?
- 94.2% of Toyota Highlander MOT tests pass, based on 1,302 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Highlander?
- The most common reason the Toyota Highlander fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 78.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Highlander?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Highlander are lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers. 49.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.1% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Highlander?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers; brakes; suspension. 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 Highlander'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.