Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD (2003)
2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD
CarHunch analysed 117 real MOT records for the 2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2003 Toyota Hilux EX 4WD is a reliability concern: only 20.1% pass the MOT first time, a stark gap against the UK average of 80%, and buyers should expect ongoing repair costs as a given rather than a surprise. The good news is there are no dangerous defects on record across the 117 vehicles sampled, so safety isn't the issue—it's wear and cumulative breakdowns.
With an average mileage of around 151,000 km, these trucks have lived hard lives, and the 0.42 failures per vehicle on test tells you why: suspension, brakes, and exhaust problems pile up quickly on work vehicles. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work before purchase and assume annual MOT failures; this isn't a casual buy-and-forget truck.
What to check before buying a 2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD
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 Hilux Ex 4WD
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD 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 2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD vehicles fall between 130,129 and 182,203 miles.
2003 Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (42% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2024.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Toyota Hilux Ex 4WD: