2020 Toyota Hilux: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Toyota Hilux?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Toyota Hilux than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Number plate lights3.9× usual
  Toyota Hilux

  2.7% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Braking performance3.1× usual
  Toyota Hilux

  2.5% All 2020 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2020 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.

• Shock absorbers2.1× usual
  Toyota Hilux

  3.4% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Headlight aim2× usual
  Toyota Hilux

  3% All 2020 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Common 2020 Toyota Hilux MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Toyota Hilux MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  17% 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.

• Brakes
  15% 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
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  5% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  2% 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.

Known faults on the 2020 Toyota Hilux

What Car? lists great reliability as a strength and reports no common faults. Check the load bed and underside for work or off-road damage.

Source: What Car?: used Toyota Hilux (2016 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Toyota Hilux

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2020 Toyota Hilux as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2020 Toyota Hilux as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2020 Toyota Hilux as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?