2009 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,561 MOT tests, the 2009 Toyota Hilux recorded a 72.2% pass rate. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2009 Hilux sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and brakes (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 926 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.3% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 2,054 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 1,801 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.6% | 1,712 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 1,222 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 701 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 633 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 926 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 909 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 793 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 624 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 578 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 567 |
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 | 30.4% | 3,816 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.1% | 3,529 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.3% | 2,801 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 2,367 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.2% | 1,914 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.9% | 1,244 |
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 | 96 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 655 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,853 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,272 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,995 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 3,687 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,916 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 2,832 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 2,523 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 2,271 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 2,019 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Hilux
On a 2009 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% 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 (13.6% 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 2009 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 12,561 2009 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 2009 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,561 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.