Used buying checklist
Daihatsu Hijet reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Daihatsu Hijet looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 30.6% of 1,176 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 30.6% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 61,630 miles
- 360 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (86.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, corroded and seriously weakened, and prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- slightly damaged
- reflector slightly defective
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
- leaking excessively from engine
Focus on corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 30.6%, +11.9 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed1,176 tests
- Median tested mileage61,630 miles
- Failed MOT tests360
Should you buy a used Daihatsu Hijet?
69.4% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 30.6%, +11.9 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (86.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Daihatsu Hijet, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 0-3 years to 31.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (86.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (29.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (20.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (14.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Daihatsu Hijet, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (86.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Daihatsu Hijet mainly involve 4 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, brakes, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Daihatsu Hijet, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 356 | 270 | 25.3%+14.5 percentage points vs all models | 35,567 miles |
| 50-100k | 679 | 475 | 33.4%+12.7 percentage points vs all models | 69,296 miles |
| 100-150k | 118 | 82 | 33.9%+7.7 percentage points vs all models | 108,138 miles |
| 150-200k | 2 | 2 | 100.0%+72.7 percentage points vs all models | 167,687 miles |
| 200k+ | 1 | 1 | 100.0%+73.4 percentage points vs all models | 678,386 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Daihatsu Hijet, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 0-3 years to 31.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 31.0% for 15+ years cars, based on 1,147 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
2 | 2 | 0.0%-8.4 percentage points vs all models | 2.4 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1 | 1 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 4.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
6 | 5 | 16.7%+0.1 percentage points vs all models | 7.7 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
20 | 17 | 15.0%-8.5 percentage points vs all models | 13.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
1,147 | 807 | 31.0%+5.1 percentage points vs all models | 23.3 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2007-11-12 | PROPSHAFT MAY DETACH It has been identified that failure of the propshaft universal joint may occur which can cause the propshaft to detach. On van versions the propshaft may contact the fuel tank and or the fuel lines. Recalled vehicles will be fitted with a quality assured propshaft. |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-16 | FRONT HUB NUTS MAY BE INCORRECTLY TORQUED AND COME LOOSE. Improper torque control has led to the possibility that the front hub nuts could become loose and cause vibration. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the hub nut torque. Additionally any worn or damaged components will be changed. |
| 2003-11-24 | CORROSION OF FUEL TANK MAY LEAD TO FUEL LEAK Corrosion of the top of the fuel tank may result in a fuel leak. Fit a new fuel tank. |
| 2000-06-19 | FUEL TANK MAY LEAK The fuel tank could suffer from external corrosion in service and may become porous with the result that the tank could leak fuel. Recall likely to be affected vehicles and replace the fuel tank with a quality assured unit |
| 1997-07-14 | CORROSION ON WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS The terminal blades of some wiring harness connectors may corrode resulting in a failure of electrical power supply. The affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement and modification of the relevant wiring harnesses. The replacements will incorporate moisture proof connectors. |
| 1996-01-23 | INSECURITY OF BRAKE PEDAL The nut securing the brake pedal may not have been tightened to the specified torque. If this is not corrected it could allow detachment of the pedal. Recall the affected vehicles remove the relevant nut apply locking compound to the threads and replace and tighten the nut to the manufacturers specified torque. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Daihatsu Hijet. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Daihatsu reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.