2003 Toyota Hilux MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 57.0% of Toyota Hilux cars first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 2,878 Hilux first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Toyota Hilux cars first used in 2003 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Hilux cars first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Hilux figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 Hilux | All cars first used 2003 | Hilux first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54.9% | 54.0% | 1,413 |
| 2022 | 55.5% | 55.7% | 1,240 |
| 2023 | 56.4% | 56.7% | 1,099 |
| 2024 | 58.2% | 57.2% | 946 |
| 2025 | 57.0% | 58.7% | 833 |
Common 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT failures
Share of the 1,232 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 21.0% | 259 |
| Position lamp: not working | 13.1% | 162 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 11.8% | 145 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 11.7% | 144 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 11.2% | 138 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Hilux in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2003 Toyota Hilux before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 Hilux cars, as a share of all 2,878 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 16.2% | 467 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 15.4% | 444 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 10.3% | 297 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 9.3% | 267 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 8.3% | 240 |
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Toyota Hilux?
In 2025, 57.0% of Hilux cars first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 Hilux most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 52.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (42.3%) and body, chassis and structure (40.3%). The single most common item was “Rear fog lamp: not working” (21.0%).
How often does a 2003 Toyota Hilux fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.0% of first tests on Hilux cars first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 35.9% failed, and a further 7.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,232 of 2,878 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 16.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (15.4%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (10.3%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (9.3%) and “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (8.3%).
Is a 2003 Toyota Hilux reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 54.9% in 2021 to 57.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 Hilux?
The numbers above cover every Hilux first used in 2003 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.