Used car guide

2008 Toyota HI-ACE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Toyota HI-ACEs, from 1,129 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,129MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,400typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Toyota HI-ACEs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Toyota HI-ACE
    22.4% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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 bushes10.4× usual
    Toyota HI-ACE
    10.4% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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 bearings3.9× usual
    Toyota HI-ACE
    10.2% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1% of all 2008 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 mountings2.2× usual
    Toyota HI-ACE
    9.1% All 2008 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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× usual
    Toyota HI-ACE
    7.1% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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: 5% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.5% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Toyota HI-ACE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% 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.

Looking at a Toyota HI-ACE?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010595Lights and electrics 37%
2009664Suspension 39%
20071,233Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Toyota HI-ACEs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score