Used car guide

2007 Toyota HI-ACE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Toyota HI-ACEs, from 1,233 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,233MOT tests in 2025

64%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)

8,000typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Toyota HI-ACEs than on all cars registered in 2007.

Rigid brake pipes2× usual

Toyota HI-ACE
22.7% All 2007 cars
11.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Anti-roll bar link bushes10.5× usual

Toyota HI-ACE
11.5% All 2007 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Wheel bearings3.5× usual

Toyota HI-ACE
10.1% All 2007 cars
2.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual

Toyota HI-ACE
11.8% All 2007 cars
4.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Chassis rust or damage3.1× usual

Toyota HI-ACE
8.4% All 2007 cars
2.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Brake discs: 6.2% here, against 14.7% of all 2007 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.2% here, against 10.9% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Toyota HI-ACE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

45% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

38% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

37% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

27% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Rust and bodywork

16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

16% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Toyota HI-ACE?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2010	595	Lights and electrics 37%
2009	664	Suspension 39%
2008	1,129	Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Toyota HI-ACEs registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score