2004 Toyota HI-ACE 2.5L Diesel · MM04 FEG

The vehicle presents a significant concern regarding its structural integrity despite its most recent MOT pass. While it passed on 24 January 2026 at 171,012 miles, this followed a failure on the same day for critical structural defects. The tester identified corrosion on the nearside inner integral, offside front, and offside rear integral body structures to the point where assembly rigidity was significantly reduced. This indicates a trend of worsening structural degradation that has required major repairs to bring the vehicle back to a roadworthy standard recently. At 22 years old, the recorded 171,012 miles represent approximately 7,773 miles per year, which is consistent with typical usage for a commercial vehicle of this age. The data shows a steady mileage pattern, with roughly 5,100 miles covered between December 2023 and December 2024, and another 5,600 miles covered in the twelve months leading up to the January 2026 test. This consistency suggests the vehicle is used regularly, which accelerates the oxidation of components prone to rust. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis, sills, and integral sections. The history shows recurring structural issues, including multiple holes in the inner and outer sills noted in December 2024. Even with the 2026 pass, the risk of hidden corrosion remains high. Attention is also required for the steering and suspension; previous tests flagged play in the steering rack inner joints and the nearside front wheel bearing. The braking system warrants close scrutiny. The parking brake only marginally met the efficiency threshold in late 2023, and front brake pipes were flagged for excessive corrosion in the January 2026 failure. Given that the offside rear shock absorber suffered a serious fluid leak in 2024, the overall condition of the suspension components should be evaluated to ensure the recent repairs were comprehensive and not merely temporary fixes.