1998 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 484 MOT tests, the 1998 Toyota Hiace recorded a 73.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.5%, so the 1998 Hiace sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and suspension (11.8%) 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 catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 54 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 32.2% versus 21.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.0% in 2021 to 23.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 67 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 57 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 20 |
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 | 54 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 36 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 4 | Wipers | 22 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 22 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 22 |
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 | 37.8% | 183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 112 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 106 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.7% | 105 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.9% | 77 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 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 | 85 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 78 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 89 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 211 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 382 | 25.7% |
| Petrol | 102 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 94 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 82 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 114 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 101 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Hiace
On a 1998 Hiace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1998 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 484 1998 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Hiace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 1998 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 60-90k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 484 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.