1997 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
418 MOT tests on the 1997 Toyota Hiace are in this dataset, and 74.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (24.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.9%) and lighting & signalling (12.9%) 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, wipers and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 55 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 30.0% versus 13.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 47.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.9% | 54 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 54 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.6% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 24 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 14 |
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 | 55 |
| 2 | Wipers | 29 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 18 |
| 5 | Washers | 17 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 16 |
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 | 47.9% | 200 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 125 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 85 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.1% | 63 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 50 |
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 | 58 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 190 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 323 | 26.3% |
| Petrol | 95 | 23.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 73 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 66 | 25.8% |
| 2024 | 111 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 96 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Hiace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 12.9% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (9.6% 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 1997 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 418 1997 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Toyota Hiace?
Suspension, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.9%).
Does the 1997 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 60-90k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 418 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.