2021 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
18,392 MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Hilux are in this dataset, and 89.1% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 11.8%, so the 2021 Hilux sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.1%) and brakes (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 733 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.8% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.9% of tests failed in 2023 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 1,115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.5% | 1,006 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.9% | 721 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.2% | 410 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 215 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 199 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 733 |
| 2 | Wipers | 729 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 391 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 296 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 183 |
| 6 | Lever | 171 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.4% | 2,655 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 2,118 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 973 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 964 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 878 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 253 |
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 | 5,248 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 8,345 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,516 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,021 | 14.0% |
| 120-150k | 209 | 14.3% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 248 | 6.9% |
| 2024 | 9,184 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 8,924 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Hilux
On a 2021 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.5% 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.
- Visibility (3.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2021 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 18,392 2021 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by brakes (5.5%).
Does the 2021 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,392 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.