2006 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
3,360 MOT tests on the 2006 Toyota Hi=Ace are in this dataset, and 77.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 4.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.2% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 259 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 30-60k band and 27.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 510 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 346 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 280 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 202 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 165 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 142 |
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 | 259 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 232 |
| 3 | Wipers | 168 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 159 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 150 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 150 |
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 | 39.1% | 1,315 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.3% | 1,119 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.7% | 729 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 546 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 468 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 389 |
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 | 82 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 379 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 639 | 18.8% |
| 120-150k | 544 | 19.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,695 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 777 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 755 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 692 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 592 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 544 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Hi=Ace
On a 2006 Hi=Ace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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 (8.3% 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 2006 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 3,360 2006 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2006 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 30-60k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,360 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.