2001 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
4,125 MOT tests on the 2001 Toyota Hilux are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 28.5%, so the 2001 Hilux sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rear fog lamp and joints — ball joint alone was recorded 322 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.8% versus 25.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.1% in 2021 to 27.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 767 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 581 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.7% | 566 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 538 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 228 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 218 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 322 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 309 |
| 3 | Joints | 294 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 284 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 273 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 253 |
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 | 39.5% | 1,628 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.5% | 1,340 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.9% | 1,232 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.6% | 645 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 561 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 548 |
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 | 193 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 323 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 697 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 979 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,906 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 964 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 895 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 822 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 774 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 670 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Hilux
On a 2001 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 (13.7% 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.
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 2001 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 4,125 2001 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2001 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 30-60k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,125 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.