2003 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,141 MOT tests, the 2003 Toyota Hilux recorded a 70.8% pass rate. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 28.9%, so the 2003 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 18.0% of all tests — 3.2 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 chassis condition — ball joint alone was recorded 561 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.4% versus 19.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 1,283 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 1,055 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.0% | 997 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 989 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 362 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 343 |
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 | 561 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 558 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 544 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 490 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 476 |
| 6 | Joints | 423 |
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 | 40.5% | 2,895 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.0% | 2,071 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.9% | 2,061 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.0% | 1,069 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 970 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 794 |
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 | 36 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 222 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 598 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,127 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,492 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,665 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,084 | 29.3% |
| Petrol | 57 | 19.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,847 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 1,621 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 1,413 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 1,200 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 1,060 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Hilux
On a 2003 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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 (14.0% 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 2003 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 7,141 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2003 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,141 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.