1997 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
2,191 MOT tests on the 1997 Toyota Hilux are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests against 13.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, service brake performance and prescribed areas — position lamp alone was recorded 146 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.9% in the 30-60k band and 29.2% in the 150k+ band, a 10.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.5% in 2021 to 24.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 381 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 295 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 233 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.2% | 201 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 125 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 99 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 146 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 144 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 129 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 125 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 109 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 104 |
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 | 36.3% | 795 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.8% | 697 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.8% | 588 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.9% | 304 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 248 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.2% | 245 |
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 | 53 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 217 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 390 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 494 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,028 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 499 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 443 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 422 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 422 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 405 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Hilux
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.6% 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 1997 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 2,191 1997 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by brakes (13.5%).
Does the 1997 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 30-60k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,191 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.