2003 Toyota Hilux MOT pass rate: 63.7% (2,856 tests)
Is the 2003 Hilux getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 63.0% -1.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 64.3% -0.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 64.0% -2.1 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 Hilux
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,043 | 22.0% |
| 2 | Brakes | 990 | 20.9% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 971 | 20.5% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 922 | 19.5% |
| 5 | Steering | 214 | 4.5% |
| 6 | Visibility | 183 | 3.9% |
All Hilux years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,767 | 63.8% | -2.8 pts | 147,438 |
| 2002 | 2,632 | 63.9% | -1.8 pts | 146,591 |
| 2003 (this page) | 2,856 | 63.7% | -1.4 pts | 152,411 |
| 2004 | 4,031 | 62.2% | -2.2 pts | 149,801 |
| 2005 | 3,356 | 63.5% | -1.0 pts | 144,197 |
| 2006 | 3,060 | 62.8% | -1.7 pts | 138,827 |
| 2007 | 5,357 | 65.3% | +0.2 pts | 140,661 |
| 2008 | 5,902 | 63.8% | -1.3 pts | 135,064 |
| 2009 | 5,275 | 64.5% | -1.8 pts | 128,084 |
| 2010 | 7,376 | 64.7% | -2.6 pts | 124,552 |
| 2011 | 11,145 | 65.1% | -4.1 pts | 116,778 |
| 2012 | 11,525 | 67.3% | -3.9 pts | 107,278 |
| 2013 | 11,957 | 69.3% | -4.1 pts | 100,664 |
| 2014 | 14,485 | 71.1% | -4.7 pts | 93,756 |
| 2015 | 16,505 | 73.6% | -5.2 pts | 86,255 |
| 2016 | 13,320 | 76.9% | -4.4 pts | 79,944 |
| 2017 | 14,847 | 83.3% | -0.8 pts | 75,559 |
| 2018 | 16,093 | 84.2% | -2.2 pts | 65,740 |
| 2019 | 15,225 | 85.5% | -2.9 pts | 56,705 |
| 2020 | 14,109 | 86.5% | -3.4 pts | 44,135 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Toyota Hilux years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Toyota Hilux reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 63.7% of their MOT tests (2,856 tests, 2023–2025), -1.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 152,411 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Hilux?
The median tested example shows 152,411 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.