Used car guide

1992 Toyota Hilux: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1992 Toyota Hiluxs, from 103 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 103 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

103MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
4,300typical miles a year
41%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1992 Toyota Hilux MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% 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
    37% 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.

  • Suspension
    31% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20223,270Tyres 17%
20214,645Brakes 17%
20204,787Brakes 17%
20194,996Brakes 19%
20185,280Brakes 19%
20174,866Brakes 21%
20164,346Brakes 27%
20155,369Brakes 33%
20144,697Brakes 35%
20133,774Brakes 36%
20123,662Brakes 39%
20113,469Brakes 41%
20102,243Suspension 42%
20091,608Suspension 45%
20081,760Suspension 46%
20071,606Suspension 44%
2006883Suspension 45%
20051,002Suspension 46%
20041,221Lights and electrics 47%
2003847Suspension 46%
2002809Lights and electrics 47%
2001530Lights and electrics 43%
2000527Lights and electrics 46%
1999537Lights and electrics 45%
1998574Suspension 44%
1997321Lights and electrics 42%
1996373Suspension 40%
1995214Lights and electrics 36%
1994152Suspension 34%
1993121Brakes 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1992 Toyota Hiluxs registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score