2008 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
14,113 MOT tests on the 2008 Toyota Hilux are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (28.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.1%) and brakes (15.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 980 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.3% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 2,406 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 2,115 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.6% | 1,923 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 1,354 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 742 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 739 |
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 | 980 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 956 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 837 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 747 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 744 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 719 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.6% | 4,184 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.2% | 4,121 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 2,942 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 2,491 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.0% | 2,262 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.3% | 1,458 |
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 | 83 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 494 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,842 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,231 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 3,604 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 4,847 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,309 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 3,141 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 2,833 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 2,566 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 2,264 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Hilux
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.0% 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.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 2008 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 14,113 2008 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by brakes (15.0%).
Does the 2008 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,113 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.