2004 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Toyota Hi=Ace passed 74.9% of its 2,271 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (12.6%) 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, integral vehicle structure condition and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 310 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 30-60k band and 27.9% in the 150k+ band, a 18.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 286 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 194 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 168 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 160 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 95 |
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 | 310 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 177 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 160 |
| 4 | Wipers | 114 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 107 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 90 |
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 | 41.7% | 948 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.8% | 744 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 469 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 358 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 313 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 282 |
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 | 85 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 276 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 413 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 433 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,028 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 549 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 521 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 464 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 388 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 349 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Hi=Ace
On a 2004 Hi=Ace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 2004 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 2,271 2004 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2004 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 30-60k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,271 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.