Used car guide

2002 Toyota Hiace: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Toyota Hiaces, from 488 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 488 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

488MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Toyota Hiaces than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.7× usual
    Toyota Hiace
    19.1% All 2002 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 3.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Body structure rust or damage3.8× usual
    Toyota Hiace
    13.9% All 2002 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.9× usual
    Toyota Hiace
    12.7% All 2002 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.4% of all 2002 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Toyota Hiace
    14.3% All 2002 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes4× usual
    Toyota Hiace
    9.2% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.5% of all 2002 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.7% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Toyota Hiace MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    35% 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
    30% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    25% 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

Looking at a Toyota Hiace?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011134Lights and electrics 37%
2010205Lights and electrics 40%
2009183Suspension 32%
2008387Suspension 40%
2007399Suspension 36%
2006882Suspension 44%
2005788Suspension 48%
2004663Suspension 50%
2003542Suspension 48%
2001349Suspension 56%
2000303Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Toyota Hiaces registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score