2004 Toyota Hilux 2.5L Diesel · RO04 YMA

The most recent MOT test on 25 June 2026 resulted in a pass, although the vehicle was only able to achieve that outcome after a prior failure on 20 June 2026 for issues including a loose offside front direction indicator likely to become detached, an insecure nearside front indicator, and a nearside rear body panel deemed likely to cause injury. While the overall pass record over the past four years demonstrates that the Hilux has remained broadly roadworthy, the maintenance trend cannot be described as stable or improving; rather, it shows a pattern of recurring advisories and minor defects accumulating year on year, particularly around lighting, bodywork integrity, and ancillary mechanical items. The repeated headlamp lens fading noted in 2025 and 2026, alongside recurring registration plate lamp and rear position lamp issues, suggests deteriorating electrical and lens condition consistent with a vehicle of this age, while the persistent clutch pedal anti-slip advisory points to a minor but unaddressed cabin wear item that has now spanned three consecutive tests. With 135,566 miles recorded over approximately 22 years, the Hilux is averaging around 6,162 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a working or leisure pickup of this vintage and suggests neither extended standing nor particularly arduous high-mileage use. However, even at this moderate annual rate, a 2004-vintage Toyota Hilux will have covered well over a decade of real-world service, and the cumulative wear on the drivetrain, suspension, and braking components will be considerable. The mileage spread across the MOT history is reasonably consistent without significant gaps that would raise immediate concerns about long-term standing, but buyers should remain mindful that calendar age brings its own degradation pathways independent of the odometer reading. Closer scrutiny of the advisories reveals several items requiring attentive inspection. The nearside front wheel bearing has carried a slight play advisory across three consecutive tests from 2023 to 2024, indicating progressive wear that may now be approaching the threshold where renewal becomes necessary; on a test drive, listen for a humming or droning noise that rises with road speed, or any vague feeling through the steering. The nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint was also flagged with slight play in 2023 and warrants a physical check for any clonking over speed humps or uneven tyre wear across the front pair. The oil leak advisory from 2024 should be inspected visually for fresh seepage at the engine or sump, and the fluid should be checked for level and colour before purchase. The 2024 dangerous failure for a nearside rear tyre below the 1.6mm tread limit, combined with a nearside rear tyre perishing advisory in 2023, underlines the importance of a thorough inspection of all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking, as 22-year-old rubber compounds deteriorate regardless of remaining tread depth, and any tyres bearing an early-2000s DOT date stamp should be replaced irrespective of wear. The bodywork advisories are perhaps the most significant theme in the recent history, with deformed integral body structure and panel damage noted around the vehicle, sharp front wing edges reportedly covered with tape, and recurring major defects for body panels likely to cause injury at both rear and front ends. While the tester has consistently judged structural rigidity as not significantly reduced, any prospective buyer should physically inspect all panels for corrosion, particularly around the load bed, wheel arches, chassis rails, and rear crossmember where Toyota pickups are historically known to suffer. The tailgate, which failed in 2023 for insecure closure and injury risk, should be checked for proper latching and alignment. Beyond the recorded defects, a vehicle of this age and type warrants close attention to brake disc corrosion and potential caliper seizure given any periods of infrequent use, time-based replacement of brake fluid, coolant, and automatic or manual transmission oil if applicable, condition of the 12V battery which typically requires replacement every five to seven years, condition of the clutch master and slave cylinders which are common failure points on aged Hiluxes, and verification of a full service history with stamps or invoices to confirm timely fluid and filter changes have been carried out throughout its life.