2003 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
2,112 MOT tests on the 2003 Toyota Hi=Ace are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. That is 2.7 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.7%) and suspension (13.8%) 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 stop lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 356 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.5% in the 30-60k band and 27.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 46.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 291 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 157 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 145 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 93 |
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 | 356 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 154 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 127 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 109 |
| 5 | Wipers | 106 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 103 |
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 | 46.3% | 977 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 629 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 463 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 350 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 322 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.7% | 310 |
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 | 55 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 304 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 471 | 26.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,073 | 27.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,081 | 25.0% |
| Petrol | 31 | 19.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 532 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 474 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 431 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 370 | 24.9% |
| 2025 | 305 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Hi=Ace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (7.4% 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 2003 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 2,112 2003 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2003 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 30-60k band to 27.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,112 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.