Used car guide

2012 Toyota Hilux: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Toyota Hiluxs, from 3,662 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,662MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,700typical miles a year
24×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Toyota Hiluxs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Chassis rust or damage24× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    16.8% All 2012 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    19.7% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    10.7% All 2012 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings6.7× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    6.7% All 2012 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.3% of all 2012 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.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Toyota Hilux
    10% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 4.9% here, against 14.5% of all 2012 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.6% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Toyota Hilux MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    39% 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
    37% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% 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
    18% 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
    11% 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 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%
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%
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 2012 Toyota Hiluxs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score