2003 Toyota Hiace MOT pass rate: 67.7% (1,859 tests)
Is the 2003 Hiace getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 70.5% +6.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 65.5% +0.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 66.4% +0.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 Hiace
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 693 | 31.0% |
| 2 | Body, chassis, structure | 400 | 17.9% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 381 | 17.1% |
| 4 | Brakes | 291 | 13.0% |
| 5 | Visibility | 161 | 7.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 109 | 4.9% |
All Hiace years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,670 | 71.4% | +5.7 pts | 144,572 |
| 2003 (this page) | 1,859 | 67.7% | +2.6 pts | 151,593 |
| 2004 | 2,249 | 69.8% | +5.4 pts | 153,516 |
| 2005 | 2,581 | 71.7% | +7.1 pts | 149,517 |
| 2006 | 2,839 | 72.0% | +7.6 pts | 146,846 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2003 Toyota Hiace reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 67.7% of their MOT tests (1,859 tests, 2023–2025), +2.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 151,593 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Hiace?
The median tested example shows 151,593 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.