2002 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,340 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Toyota Hilux, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.5% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (71.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.2% in the 150k+ group versus 22.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 1,228 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 956 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.9% | 947 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 934 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 364 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.7% | 358 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 520 |
| 2 | Joints | 489 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 487 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 475 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 473 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 432 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.3% | 2,492 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.6% | 2,070 |
| 3 | Brakes | 32.5% | 2,059 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.7% | 998 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 971 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.3% | 717 |
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 | 54 | 22.2% |
| 30-60k | 215 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 575 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,088 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,428 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,978 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,302 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 38 | 10.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,576 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 1,403 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 1,256 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 1,100 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 1,005 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Hilux
Before buying a 2002 Toyota Hilux, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.1% 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.
- Suspension (14.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2002 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 6,340 2002 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.1%).
Does the 2002 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,340 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.