Pickup · 1996–2021 cars
Toyota Hilux reliability
The Toyota Hilux fails 31.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 224,137 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota Hilux before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 31.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 224,137
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 11,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Toyota Hilux has a first-time MOT fail rate of 31.5%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 4% more MOT fails, and it ranks 7 of 13 pickup models. Year matters. The 2005 model year did best, with 13% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2020 was weakest, with 20% more.
Body, chassis and structure is the weakest area, with 64% more fails there than comparable cars. Look closely at the body, chassis and structure for damage. A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. On the car you're looking at, check these top MOT failures: position lamps (3.74% of tests), wiper blades clearing the windscreen (2.84%), coil springs for fractures or breaks (2.66%), and parking brake efficiency (2.31%).
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota Hilux ages
Each point is the share of Toyota Hiluxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota Hilux | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 18% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 18.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 19.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 23.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 27.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 31.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 36.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 37.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 42.2% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 42.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 42.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 41.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 43.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 39.1% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 40.9% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 42.7% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 42.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 43.8% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 41% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota Hilux years
2005 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Hilux | 3,557 | 16.5% | 16% more fails | 35,795 |
| 2020 Hilux | 9,175 | 18.4% | 20% more fails | 43,392 |
| 2019 Hilux | 15,242 | 18.5% | 9% more fails | 51,100 |
| 2018 Hilux | 20,062 | 19.4% | 6% more fails | 57,427 |
| 2017 Hilux | 18,715 | 19.6% | 7% fewer fails | 67,466 |
| 2016 Hilux | 16,446 | 26.5% | 14% more fails | 72,762 |
| 2015 Hilux | 19,514 | 31.3% | 19% more fails | 79,411 |
| 2014 Hilux | 17,256 | 33.6% | 14% more fails | 87,726 |
| 2013 Hilux | 14,830 | 35.5% | 10% more fails | 95,120 |
| 2012 Hilux | 14,094 | 36.2% | 2% more fails | 102,147 |
| 2011 Hilux | 13,707 | 40.4% | 6% more fails | 112,958 |
| 2010 Hilux | 9,216 | 40.6% | 0% fewer fails | 121,677 |
| 2009 Hilux | 6,637 | 42% | 0% fewer fails | 124,806 |
| 2008 Hilux | 7,632 | 42.9% | 2% fewer fails | 131,794 |
| 2007 Hilux | 6,931 | 41.1% | 8% fewer fails | 137,890 |
| 2006 Hilux | 4,046 | 42.4% | 5% fewer fails | 138,720 |
| 2005 Hilux | 4,612 | 39.6% | 13% fewer fails | 137,363 |
| 2004 Hilux | 5,215 | 42.7% | 6% fewer fails | 148,109 |
| 2003 Hilux | 3,818 | 41.5% | 9% fewer fails | 151,463 |
| 2002 Hilux | 3,340 | 43.6% | 2% fewer fails | 148,100 |
| 2001 Hilux | 2,147 | 43.5% | 0% more fails | 144,738 |
| 2000 Hilux | 2,008 | 42% | 2% fewer fails | 148,865 |
| 1999 Hilux | 2,601 | 42.5% | 3% more fails | 149,127 |
| 1998 Hilux | 2,633 | 43.2% | 7% more fails | 156,693 |
| 1997 | 526 | 39.7% | 1% more fails | 142,815 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota Hilux
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 64% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.3%22% above avg
- Brakes12.5%63% above avg
- Suspension10.4%6% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure6.6%64% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%7% above avg
- Tyres3%55% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.5%30% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2%55% above avg
- Steering1.7%23% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.74% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.66% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.31% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 5
Rear fog lamp not working 2.23% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 6
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.99% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 1.78% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Registration plate lamp not working 1.72% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Hilux's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.36%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.81%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.69%
- Chassis corroded but still rigid3.79%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive2.79%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.69%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota Hilux
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Toyota Hilux covers about 11,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel99.8%
- Petrol0.2%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Black, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 2.6 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota Hilux compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Amarok | 21.1% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 31.2% | about average for its age |
| Toyota Hilux | 31.5% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Ranger | 27.6% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Navara | 31.6% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu D-Max | 28.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota Hilux questions, answered
Is the Toyota Hilux reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota Hilux is about average: it fails 31.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota Hilux MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Hilux are position lamp not working (3.74% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.84% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.66% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.3% of its tests.
Which Toyota Hilux year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota Hilux do a year?
A typical Toyota Hilux covers about 11,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Toyota Hilux before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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