2002 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
3,989 MOT tests on the 2002 Toyota Hiace are in this dataset, and 76.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Hiace comes out 3.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.3%) and suspension (13.8%) 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 position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 626 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.2% in the 30-60k band and 27.0% in the 150k+ band, a 11.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 46.3% 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 | 14.3% | 569 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 552 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 330 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 252 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.0% | 241 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 143 |
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 | 626 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 294 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 234 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 213 |
| 5 | Wipers | 201 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 183 |
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 | 46.3% | 1,846 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.5% | 1,095 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 847 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.6% | 743 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 542 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 537 |
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 | 145 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 367 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 613 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 932 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,903 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,917 | 24.1% |
| Petrol | 72 | 8.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,028 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 918 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 784 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 679 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 580 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Hiace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (8.3% 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 2002 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 3,989 2002 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Hiace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2002 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,989 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.