Toyota Hi Ace (1989)
1989 Toyota Hi Ace
CarHunch analysed 229 real MOT records for the 1989 Toyota Hi Ace. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1989 Hi-Ace has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 29.4%, dramatically below the 80% UK average, making it a genuinely unreliable prospect for buyers. While dangerous defects affect fewer than one in ten examples (8.7%), the sheer volume of failures—averaging 0.93 per vehicle—signals systemic wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problem areas.
At 137,642 miles on average, these vans have covered substantial mileage for their age, and that's reflected in the 2.6 advisories per vehicle warning of deterioration ahead. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on brake condition, structural rust, and engine reliability—this cohort's low pass rate means cosmetic appeal masks real mechanical debt.
What to check before buying a 1989 Toyota Hi Ace
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Toyota Hi Ace
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (51%) | 117 | 28.7% | 0.99 |
| Diesel (49%) | 112 | 30.2% | 0.86 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Toyota Hi Ace vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1989 Toyota Hi Ace vehicles fall between 103,627 and 151,938 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Toyota Hi Ace
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
29.7%
Oil leak
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20.6%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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18.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
18.2%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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16.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
16.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
16.2%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Hi Ace?
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