Used car guide

2003 Toyota Hilux: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota Hiluxs, from 847 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

847MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
7,000typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota Hiluxs than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.6× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    18.2% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

  • Wheel bearings4.5× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    17.2% All 2003 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.3% of all 2003 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.

  • Rear fog light5.4× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    9.1% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 1.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    13.3% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    12% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 7.3% here, against 14.8% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota Hilux MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    44% 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
    36% 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
    20% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

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%
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%
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 2003 Toyota Hiluxs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score