1990 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
460 MOT tests on the 1990 Toyota Hilux are in this dataset, and 80.0% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points better than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.7%) and lighting & signalling (10.4%) 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, service brake performance and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1990 Hilux fails 20.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 18.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.7% | 49 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 48 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 12 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 23 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
| 5 | Wipers | 18 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 16 |
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 | 25.4% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.2% | 116 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.5% | 108 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 64 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.0% | 55 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.7% | 49 |
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 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 78 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 106 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 216 | 18.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 270 | 17.4% |
| Petrol | 190 | 23.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 91 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 81 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 81 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 85 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Hilux
On a 1990 Hilux, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (10.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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.
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 1990 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 460 1990 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Toyota Hilux?
Brakes, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.4%).
Does the 1990 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 60-90k band to 18.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 460 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.