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Toyota HiAce reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 128,111 MOT tests of cars first registered 1996–2011.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
63.9%pass first time
+9.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 80%of cars
128,111MOT tests

Verdict

The Toyota HiAce passes its MOT first time on 63.9% of tests, 9.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (54.7%). That puts it ahead of 80% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2007 HiAce does best (beats 90% of cars) and the 1997 worst (beats 45%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 83%) and the 2.4 Diesel worst (beats 62%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Linkage pins and bushes6.7×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas2.0×as often as a typical car
Windscreen wipers1.4×as often as a typical car
Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo2.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%55%60%65%70%75%89101112131415161718192070%70%69%66%63%61%60%
Toyota HiAceTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1996
Beats 68%
1997
Beats 45%
1998
Beats 57%
1999
Beats 62%
2000
Beats 61%
2001
Beats 71%
2002
Beats 78%
2003
Beats 74%
2004
Beats 80%
2005
Beats 85%
2006
Beats 82%
2007
Beats 90%
2008
Beats 89%
2009
Beats 88%
2010
Beats 83%
2011
Beats 84%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2001–2011103,44765.3%Beats 83%A
2.4 Diesel1996–200124,66458.0%Beats 62%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 13.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.1 ptsTyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.9 ptsSuspension: 13.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.9 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.8 ptsSuspension: 13.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 22.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+5.1 ptsTyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.9 ptsSuspension: 13.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 18.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.9 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.8 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
17.6% vs 22.7%
Suspension
13.6% vs 18.5%
Brakes
9.7% vs 14.6%
Visibility
7.8% vs 7.6%
Body & structure
5.7% vs 9.1%
Tyres
4.5% vs 7.8%
Emissions & leaks
4.3% vs 7.1%
Seat belts & airbags
1.9% vs 3.2%
Steering
0.7% vs 4.7%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Windscreen wipers 1.4× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Shock absorbers
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k85%81%74%70%65%61%60%
Toyota HiAceTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights6.1%6.1%1.0×
Brake lights5.4%4.5%1.2×
Component mounting prescribed areas5.3%2.6%2.0×
Windscreen wipers4.5%3.2%1.4×
Brake pipes3.5%2.6%1.4×
Linkage pins and bushes3.2%0.5%6.7×
Number plate lights2.8%2.8%1.0×
Headlight aim2.7%6.2%0.4×
Windscreen washers2.5%3.5%0.7×
Shock absorbers2.3%2.0%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired53.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn52.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning47.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen44.3
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning43.7
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded33.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements27.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen25.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2011 Toyota HiAce1 engine71.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel4,23571.4%Beats 84%A
2010 Toyota HiAce1 engine69.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel6,76469.0%Beats 83%A
2009 Toyota HiAce1 engine69.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel7,53469.3%Beats 88%A
2008 Toyota HiAce1 engine68.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel13,71768.3%Beats 89%A
2007 Toyota HiAce1 engine68.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel15,68168.0%Beats 90%A
2006 Toyota HiAce1 engine64.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel12,85464.1%Beats 82%A
2005 Toyota HiAce1 engine64.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel11,68864.4%Beats 85%A
2004 Toyota HiAce1 engine61.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel11,14661.9%Beats 80%A
2003 Toyota HiAce1 engine59.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel9,92959.3%Beats 74%B
2002 Toyota HiAce1 engine61.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel8,43661.0%Beats 78%B
2001 Toyota HiAce2 engines59.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel6,31159.4%Beats 71%B
2.5 Diesel1,46357.6%Beats 68%B
2000 Toyota HiAce1 engine56.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel6,00756.4%Beats 61%B
1999 Toyota HiAce1 engine58.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel4,34758.1%Beats 62%B
1998 Toyota HiAce1 engine57.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel4,11657.8%Beats 57%C
1997 Toyota HiAce1 engine55.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel2,58355.3%Beats 45%C
1996 Toyota HiAce1 engine63.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Diesel1,30063.2%Beats 68%B

FAQ

What is the Toyota HiAce MOT pass rate?

63.9% of MOT tests on the Toyota HiAce were passed first time, based on 128,111 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1996–2011. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 54.7% of the time.

Is the Toyota HiAce reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 80% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota HiAce year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2007 HiAce does best for its age and mileage: it beats 90% of cars on UK roads. The 1997 does worst: it beats 45%.

Which Toyota HiAce engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 83% of cars on UK roads. The 2.4 Diesel does worst: it beats 62%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota HiAce?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake lights, component mounting prescribed areas. Compared with similar cars, linkage pins and bushes comes up 6.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.