2005 Toyota Hiace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,914 MOT tests, the 2005 Toyota Hiace recorded a 77.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 5.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and suspension (11.3%) 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 stop lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 609 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.5% versus 13.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 839 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 670 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 480 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 371 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 299 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 197 |
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 | 609 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 352 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 311 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 283 |
| 5 | Wipers | 270 |
| 6 | Linkage pins and bushes | 216 |
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 | 41.0% | 2,424 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 1,870 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 1,221 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 794 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 790 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 640 |
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 | 223 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 560 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 946 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,255 | 22.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,903 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,833 | 22.7% |
| Petrol | 81 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,398 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 1,314 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 1,198 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 1,048 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 956 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Hiace
On a 2005 Hiace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (8.1% 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 2005 Toyota Hiaces pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 5,914 2005 Toyota Hiace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Hiace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2005 Hiace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 30-60k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,914 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.