The indestructible workhorse that holds its value remarkably
The Hilux commands premium used prices in the UK thanks to its legendary durability. Seventh-generation (2004-2015) models start from £10,000 for tidy examples, while eighth-generation 2.4 D-4D models range from £13,000-£30,000. Residual values are among the strongest of any vehicle — a well-maintained Hilux depreciates less than almost any rival pickup. Popular with farmers, tradespeople and lifestyle buyers alike.
We track 5 known issues across the Toyota Hilux range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Toyota Hilux? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
N50 (1983–1997) — Petrol options included the 2.2 4Y-E Petrol, with 2.4 2L-T Diesel, 3.0 1KZ-T Diesel on the diesel side.
N140 (1997–2005) — Engine options included the 2.4 2KD-FTV Diesel, 2.5 2KD-FTV Diesel, 3.0 1KZ-TE Diesel.
N200 (2005–2015) — Engine options included the 2.5 2KD-FTV Diesel, 3.0 1KD-FTV Diesel.
N280 (2015–2024) — Engine options included the 2.4 2GD-FTV Diesel, 3.0 1GD-FTV Diesel.
The Hilux chassis and body structure are susceptible to serious corrosion that can compromise structural integrity. The MOT data shows this model fails structural rigidity tests at 46 times the national average, indicating widespread problems with chassis rails, crossmembers, and mounting points. This affects the vehicle's ability to protect occupants in a crash and can cause sudden failure of suspension or body mounting points. Commercial use with heavy loads and exposure to salt accelerates this process.
Structural corrosion can lead to sudden failure of suspension mounting points, loss of vehicle control, or catastrophic collapse of load-bearing members. Repairs typically require professional welding and fabrication of new sections. Severe cases require chassis replacement or vehicle scrapping.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Hilux suffers from accelerated wear of suspension bushes and joints, failing MOT tests at over 1300 times the national average. The solid rear axle design places high loads on leaf spring bushes, shackles, and mounting points. Front suspension ball joints and bushes also wear rapidly under the stresses of off-road use and heavy loads. This is the most common MOT failure point for this model, affecting handling precision and causing tire wear.
Worn suspension components reduce handling precision and increase tire wear. Severely worn ball joints can separate causing complete loss of steering control. Failed leaf spring bushes allow the axle to shift position affecting wheel alignment and braking effectiveness. The vehicle remains drivable but should be repaired promptly.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Wheel bearings on the Hilux fail at 61 times the national average, with the solid rear axle design and heavy-duty use accelerating wear. The rear bearings are particularly prone to failure due to contamination from water and dirt in commercial environments. Front wheel bearings also suffer from the additional loads imposed by four-wheel drive components and off-road use. Early detection is critical as bearing collapse can cause wheel detachment.
A collapsed wheel bearing can cause complete wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Warning signs include noise, vibration, and wheel play. Once excessive play is detected, the vehicle should not be driven until repairs are completed as sudden bearing failure is possible.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The rear leaf springs on the Hilux are prone to fracturing, with MOT failure rates nearly 500 times higher than the national average. The multi-leaf spring design suffers from inter-leaf corrosion and fatigue cracking, particularly on vehicles used for heavy hauling or off-road work. Spring failure causes a significant drop in ride height and can affect vehicle stability and load-carrying capacity. This is a characteristic weakness of the leaf spring rear suspension design.
A fractured leaf spring causes loss of load-carrying capacity, poor ride quality, and potential handling instability. Complete spring failure can cause the axle to shift position affecting wheel alignment and braking. The vehicle should not carry heavy loads with damaged springs and prompt repair is required.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The four-wheel drive system components on the Hilux experience accelerated wear, with MOT failures at 115 times the national average. CV joints, universal joints in the propshafts, and drive belts suffer from the harsh operating conditions typical of commercial vehicle use. The front CV joints are particularly vulnerable to contamination when protective boots split, while the rear universal joints handle high torque loads that cause premature wear.
Worn CV joints can fail completely causing loss of drive to that wheel and potential damage to the differential. Failed universal joints can cause propshaft separation and underbody damage. Auxiliary belt failure can cause charging system or power steering loss. Most issues develop gradually but CV joint failure can be sudden.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Toyota Hilux common problems page.
Based on 383k real DVSA MOT tests, the Toyota Hilux fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... at 134x the fleet average, followed by transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (126x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Toyota Hilux MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600), timing chain service (£800–£1,200).
See the full Toyota Hilux service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Toyota Hilux has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2013-2015 seventh-generation models with the 3.0 D-4D 171 PS engine offer the best balance of proven reliability, modern features and value around £12,000-£15,000. For the eighth generation, 2018+ 2.4 D-4D Invincible models with the six-speed manual are recommended — the automatic adds complexity. Avoid very early 2005-2007 models where injector and turbo issues were most prevalent. The 2016 eighth-gen launch year had minor teething problems.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Toyota Hilux, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Toyota Hilux issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.