Daihatsu Hijet MOT Failures

An analysis of 10,943 real DVSA MOT tests on the Daihatsu Hijet — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: S80-S85 (1986–1998), S100-S110 (1999–2009).

Where the Daihatsu Hijet fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Daihatsu Hijet is headlight fault — this model is 1859 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 10,943 MOT tests, 12.39% of all Daihatsu Hijet tests recorded this as a failure.

Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.

Other notable weak points include light unit fault (259x the fleet average), coil springs broken (364x the fleet average), structural corrosion (136x the fleet average), and braking effort inadequate at a wheel (134x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Daihatsu Hijet's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Bodywork, Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Daihatsu Hijet before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Daihatsu Hijet's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Daihatsu Hijet specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (1859x the average) and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (437x). coil springs broken (261x) and light unit fault (259x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Daihatsu Hijet specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (1064x the average) and coil springs broken (364x). excessive radial movement between the top of th... (184x) and braking effort inadequate at a wheel (103x) also appear frequently.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Daihatsu Hijet specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Subframe and mounting point corrosion Dangerous

The Hijet's lightweight commercial construction combines thin steel panels with a simple chassis design that is highly vulnerable to structural corrosion. Affects S80-S85, S100-S110; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.

Suspension component wear Major

MOT data shows the Hijet fails at 364x the fleet average for suspension component wear, typically affecting bushes, pins and joints. Affects S80-S85, S100-S110; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.

Brake system imbalance and efficiency loss Major

MOT data shows the Hijet suffers brake imbalance at 103x the fleet average and overall brake efficiency problems at 53x the average. Affects S80-S85, S100-S110; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£900.

Steering column bearing wear Major

MOT data shows the Hijet fails at 184x the fleet average for steering column top bearing wear. Affects S80-S85, S100-S110; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£500.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Daihatsu Hijet common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Daihatsu Hijet

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Daihatsu Hijet:

Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, light unit fault. Suspension — check for coil springs broken. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe and mounting point corrosion and suspension component wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.