2021 Toyota Highlander Hev — MOT failures & pass rate
1,014 MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hev are in this dataset, and 92.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2021 Highlander Hev sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (5.1%) and lighting & signalling (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 59 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.4% versus 6.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.1% | 52 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 44 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.1% | 42 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 8 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 2 | Wipers | 58 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 4 | Washers | 8 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.1% | 224 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.9% | 70 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 27 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 438 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 521 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 46 | 17.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 494 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 509 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Highlander Hev
On a 2021 Highlander Hev, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (5.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2021 Toyota Highlander Hevs pass their MOT?
92.1% of the 1,014 2021 Toyota Highlander Hev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hev?
Visibility, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.3%).
Does the 2021 Highlander Hev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 17.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,014 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.