2001 Daihatsu Hijet — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Daihatsu Hijet passed 69.3% of its 602 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests against 15.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 74 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.2% in the 0-30k band and 38.5% in the 90-120k band, a 8.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.2% in 2021 to 26.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 93 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 55 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 54 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.8% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 71 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 53 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 51 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 6 | Wipers | 37 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.4% | 177 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.2% | 170 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 128 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 97 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 97 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.8% | 89 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 63 | 30.2% |
| 30-60k | 238 | 28.1% |
| 60-90k | 218 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 38.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 145 | 37.2% |
| 2022 | 137 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 114 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 112 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 94 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Hijet
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Daihatsu Hijets pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 602 2001 Daihatsu Hijet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Daihatsu Hijet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by brakes (15.4%).
Does the 2001 Hijet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.2% in the 0-30k band to 38.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 602 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.