2005 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,083 MOT tests, the 2005 Toyota Hilux recorded a 71.9% pass rate. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 29.0%, so the 2005 Hilux sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and service brake performance — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 590 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 1,411 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 1,154 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.0% | 1,047 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 995 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 377 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 336 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 590 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 567 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 497 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 492 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 485 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 446 |
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 | 37.7% | 3,048 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.7% | 2,399 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.1% | 2,193 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.3% | 1,154 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 1,081 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 800 |
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 | 54 | 18.5% |
| 30-60k | 247 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 755 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,577 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,814 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,631 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,999 | 28.1% |
| Petrol | 84 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,957 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 1,794 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 1,655 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 1,397 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 1,280 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Hilux
On a 2005 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 2005 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 8,083 2005 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 2005 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,083 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.