2011 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Toyota Hilux passed 73.6% of its 25,439 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (26.0% 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 (15.8%) and brakes (13.9%) 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 service brake performance — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 2,053 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 0-30k band and 29.7% in the 150k+ band, a 20.0-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 4,033 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.9% | 3,525 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 3,107 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 1,955 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 1,233 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 761 |
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 | 2,053 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,627 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 1,230 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,194 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 1,169 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,070 |
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 | 30.9% | 7,863 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.4% | 5,686 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 4,890 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.6% | 4,211 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 3,485 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 2,360 |
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 | 278 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,930 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,333 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 7,155 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,479 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 5,258 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,604 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 5,447 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 5,112 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 4,912 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 4,364 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Hilux
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 (12.2% 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 2011 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 25,439 2011 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (13.9%).
Does the 2011 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 29.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,439 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.