MOT fail rates by first-use year
2003 Toyota Hilux MOT fail rate and common faults
How Toyota Hilux cars first used in 2003 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2023, against all cars of the same age. From 2,464 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 20 years, tested in 2023
What stands out
- In 2023, at 20 years old, Toyota Hilux cars first used in 2003 failed 42.8% of MOTs (1,160 tests), about the same as the 42.8% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2023, as these cars went from 19 to 20 years old, the fail rate moved from 43.7% to 42.8%.
- Toyota Hilux cars first used a year earlier, in 2002, failed 45.1% at the same age of 20 years (1,097 tests, in 2022).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Toyota Hilux at 20 years, is driveshaft CV boot split, at 4.8 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 3.1).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19 years | 43.7% | 1,304 | 43.2% | +0.5 pts |
| 2023 | 20 years | 42.8% | 1,160 | 42.8% | 0.0 pts |
Most common faults at 20 years
These figures cover all Toyota Hilux MOTs at 20 years: cars first used 2002 to 2005, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,676). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working Wear | 8.5 | 1.3 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 5.8 | 5.2 |
| Driveshaft CV boot split | 4.8 | 3.1 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 4.5 | 2.9 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 4.4 | 2.3 |
| Handbrake too weak | 4.0 | 2.8 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 3.6 | 2.0 |
| Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 3.4 | 0.5 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 3.2 | 1.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,676). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 17.6 | 15.2 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 13.5 | 1.6 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 9.3 | 15.7 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 8.5 | 14.1 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 8.3 | 1.9 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 8.0 | 5.4 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 7.4 | 5.7 |
| Suspension ball joint: slight play | 7.1 | 2.7 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated | 6.3 | 3.8 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 6.0 | 5.4 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,676). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 20 years
These figures cover all Toyota Hilux MOTs at 20 years: cars first used 2002 to 2005, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,676). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 100.0% | 43.1% | 4,630 | 43.6% | 148,040 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 20 years
These figures cover all Toyota Hilux MOTs at 20 years: cars first used 2002 to 2005, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,676). At 20 years, Toyota Hilux cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (45.2%, n=2,233) than those at 120,000 to 150,000 miles (44.7%, n=1,020). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 44.7% | 1,020 | 47.2% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 45.2% | 2,233 | 46.9% |
Car tax rules for a 2003 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2003 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Toyota Hilux
Other Toyota models first used in 2003
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 45.8% | 9,727 | 41.0% |
| Toyota Corolla (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 42.3% | 4,520 | 41.0% |
| Toyota RAV4 (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 38.1% | 3,855 | 41.0% |
| Toyota Avensis (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 43.3% | 1,573 | 41.0% |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 35.5% | 1,240 | 41.0% |
More on the Toyota Hilux
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2003 Toyota Hilux cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.