Toyota Hilux MOT pass rate and common problems
77.3% of 116,265 Toyota Hilux MOT tests pass.
At 77.3%, the Hilux passes slightly less often than the average across all Toyota models (82.3%).
At 77.3%, the Toyota Hilux passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Toyota Hilux?
This is the average across every Toyota Hilux 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 drops sharply with age: the Toyota Hilux tested at 0–3 years pass 90.2% of the time, compared with just 67.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 90.2% | 9,144 | 39,840 miles |
| 3–6 years | 87.9% | 25,569 | 57,296 miles |
| 6–10 years | 79.5% | 31,020 | 87,254 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.2% | 26,683 | 116,001 miles |
| 15+ years | 67.3% | 23,849 | 150,385 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Hilux
The most common reason the Toyota Hilux fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 65.2% | Not working |
| Brakes | 61.5% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 43.4% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 30.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 17.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 11.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 5.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Toyota Hilux: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Hilux’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 Hilux comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 79.5% to 69.2%. 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: 86.9% down to 79.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 65.2% of failed Toyota Hilux MOTs. 30.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.3% 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. Brakes
Recorded in 61.5% of failed Toyota Hilux MOTs. 26.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 5.2% at 0–3 years.
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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 43.4% of failed Toyota Hilux MOTs. 24.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 0–3 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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 30.1% of failed Toyota Hilux MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 22.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
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 17.8% of failed Toyota Hilux MOTs. 6.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 3.2% 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.
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 RAV4 — 83.1% pass rate
- Toyota Corolla — 82.5% pass rate
- Toyota C-HR — 92.0% pass rate
- Toyota Avensis — 74.3% pass rate
- Toyota Verso — 80.1% pass rate
- Toyota Estima — 86.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Hilux?
- 77.3% of Toyota Hilux MOT tests pass, based on 116,265 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Hilux?
- The most common reason the Toyota Hilux fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Hilux?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Hilux are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 30.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.3% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Hilux?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; 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 Hilux'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.