2004 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
5,377 MOT tests on the 2004 Toyota Hiace are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Hiace comes out 3.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and suspension (12.8%) 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, position lamp and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 752 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.8% in the 30-60k band and 27.5% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.4% 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 | 14.8% | 793 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 690 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.0% | 432 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 365 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 349 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 199 |
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 | 752 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 339 |
| 3 | Wipers | 293 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 286 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 281 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 258 |
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 | 42.4% | 2,278 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.8% | 1,819 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 1,221 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 824 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 745 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.2% | 658 |
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 | 113 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 486 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 861 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,088 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,796 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,341 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 36 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,325 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 1,238 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 1,099 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 894 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 821 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Hiace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Brakes (8.0% 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 2004 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 5,377 2004 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Hiace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 2004 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.8% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,377 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.