2002 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,491 MOT tests, the 2002 Toyota Hi=Ace recorded a 74.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Hi=Ace comes out 2.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.9%) and suspension (14.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 221 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.5% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 48.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.5% in 2021 to 23.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 222 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.5% | 217 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 129 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 107 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.8% | 86 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.6% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 221 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 102 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 92 |
| 4 | Wipers | 86 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 84 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 56 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 48.2% | 719 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.6% | 427 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 336 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.1% | 270 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 268 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 238 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 64 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 144 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 218 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 333 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 725 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,450 | 25.4% |
| Petrol | 38 | 13.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 396 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 357 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 293 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 238 | 21.4% |
| 2025 | 207 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Hi=Ace
On a 2002 Hi=Ace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2002 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 1,491 2002 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.5%).
Does the 2002 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,491 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.