At a Glance
The Toyota Hilux has 53 identified common problems across 7 generations, with the N140 (1997-2005) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Hilux common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Toyota Hilux generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Toyota Hilux Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
N30
N40
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
N50
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
N80
Top issue: Fog lamp not working
N140
Top issue: Fog lamp not working
AN10
Top issue: Leaf spring broken or corroded
AN120
Top issue: Leaf spring broken or corroded
Most Common Toyota Hilux MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Hilux vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.10% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.13% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.29% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.28% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.07% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 4.11% |
| 7 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.74% |
| 8 | Stop lamp not working | 3.61% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 3.22% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.20% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.96% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.86% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.70% |
| 14 | Fog lamp not working | 2.64% |
| 15 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.55% |
| 16 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.29% |
| 17 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.14% |
| 18 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.06% |
| 19 | Tyre condition | 1.79% |
| 20 | Track rod end worn | 1.70% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.43% |
| 22 | Chassis condition | 1.40% |
| 23 | Front suspension fault | 1.36% |
| 24 | Headlamp fault | 1.23% |
| 25 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.17% |
| 26 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.14% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.13% |
| 28 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.13% |
| 29 | Indicator fault | 0.96% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.91% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.85% |
| 32 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.71% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.66% |
| 34 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.61% |
| 35 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.56% |
| 36 | Horn not working | 0.54% |
| 37 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.53% |
| 38 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.44% |
| 39 | Brake pedal fault | 0.44% |
| 40 | Airbag warning light on | 0.43% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.42% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.42% |
| 43 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.37% |
| 44 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.37% |
| 45 | ABS fault | 0.37% |
| 46 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.35% |
| 47 | Drag link end worn | 0.31% |
| 48 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.28% |
| 49 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.27% |
| 50 | Steering rack fault | 0.26% |
| 51 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 52 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.25% |
| 53 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.23% |
| 54 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.22% |
| 55 | Steering arm worn | 0.20% |
| 56 | Brake lever fault | 0.19% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.18% |
| 58 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 59 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.14% |
| 60 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 61 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.13% |
| 62 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.12% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.12% |
| 64 | Steering lock fault | 0.11% |
| 65 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.11% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 67 | Body security fault | 0.10% |
| 68 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.09% |
| 69 | Steering free play excessive | 0.09% |
| 70 | Towbar fault | 0.09% |
| 71 | Propshaft fault | 0.09% |
| 72 | Electrical switch fault | 0.08% |
| 73 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.08% |
| 74 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 75 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 76 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.08% |
| 77 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.07% |
| 78 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 79 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.07% |
| 80 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 81 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 83 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 84 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.06% |
| 85 | Steering box fault | 0.06% |
| 86 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 87 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 88 | Brake caliper fault | 0.05% |
| 89 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 90 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 91 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.04% |
| 92 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 93 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 97 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 98 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 99 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.03% |
| 100 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 101 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 102 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 103 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.03% |
| 105 | Transmission oil leak | 0.03% |
| 106 | Steering damper fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 109 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 111 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 112 | Brake valve fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 114 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 116 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 118 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 119 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 120 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.02% |
| 121 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 124 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 125 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 126 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 129 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 130 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 132 | Steering shaft fault | 0.01% |
| 133 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 145 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 151 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 162 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 167 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 169 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 170 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 179 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 184 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 186 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 194 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 195 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 197 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 200 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 201 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 202 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 203 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 204 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 204 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Hilux MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Hilux, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Hilux problems?
Based on analysis of 1.1M Toyota Hilux MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 53 identified common problems across 7 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Fog lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Hilux generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Hilux N140 (1997-2005) (1997–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (41). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Toyota Hilux?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Hilux owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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