Used car guide

1993 Toyota Hilux: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1993 Toyota Hiluxs, from 121 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 121 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

121MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 69%)
4,600typical miles a year
34%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1993 Toyota Hilux MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    29% 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
    19% 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
    16% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

Looking at a Toyota Hilux?

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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%
1992103Lights and electrics 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1993 Toyota Hiluxs registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score