2005 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,461 MOT tests, the 2005 Toyota Hi=Ace recorded a 76.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 4.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests against 11.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 257 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.8% versus 4.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 45.1% 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 | 15.0% | 370 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.5% | 283 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 191 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 169 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 152 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 92 |
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 | 257 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 169 |
| 3 | Wipers | 131 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 124 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 117 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 111 |
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 | 45.1% | 1,109 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 778 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 531 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 356 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.0% | 320 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 314 |
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 | 45 | 4.4% |
| 60-90k | 256 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 384 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 534 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,217 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 591 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 578 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 499 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 426 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 367 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Hi=Ace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.5% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% 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 2005 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 2,461 2005 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.5%).
Does the 2005 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 30-60k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,461 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.