2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Toyota Hilux MOT pass rate and common faults

971 MOT tests in 2024. 58.2% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

102About average
Passed first time58.2%
Failed or needed repairs41.8%
Typical mileage at test154,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 971 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rear fog lamp: not working7.6%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.4%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.3%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.2%
  7. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced3.9%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.7%
  9. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.7%
  10. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting3.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics38.2%
  2. Suspension31.0%
  3. Brakes30.3%
  4. Body & chassis24.5%
  5. Steering7.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.0%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play15.9%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.6%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rear fog lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Toyota Hilux?

In 2024, 58.2% of 2003 Toyota Hilux cars passed their MOT first time, across 971 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Toyota Hilux?

The most common failure reasons were rear fog lamp: not working; position lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Toyota Hilux reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).