1995 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1995 Toyota Hiace passed 73.9% of its 387 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 72 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 27.9% versus 13.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.5% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 63 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 50 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.8% | 30 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.0% | 27 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 16 |
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 | 72 |
| 2 | Wipers | 28 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 27 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 25 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 15 |
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 | 43.4% | 168 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 119 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.8% | 96 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.2% | 78 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.3% | 67 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.8% | 65 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 53 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 73 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 68 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 56 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 99 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 91 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Hiace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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.
- Visibility (7.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1995 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 387 1995 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Toyota Hiace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 1995 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 60-90k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 387 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.