Daihatsu Hijet (1994)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 63 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,160
£180/month
MOT Pass Rate
62%
Below Avg
Road Tax
£230
Estimated/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
993cc Petrol
Proceed With Caution
62% pass rate, £2,160/year to run. 20 points below average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Pre-2001 engine size rate
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Reliability Verdict
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Daihatsu brand average of 71%.
62% of MOT tests on Daihatsu Hijets from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 63 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 58,613 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
58,613
Average miles
222,000
Expected for age
The average 1994 Daihatsu Hijet had 58,613 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
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Best Year to Buy?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1994 scores 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Daihatsu Hijet by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet
The 1994 Daihatsu Hijet is a city car. Our records list a 993cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 63 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 7% of 1994 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 58,613 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Daihatsu Hijet owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.
1994 Daihatsu Hijet Fuel Costs
The modest 993cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 1994 Daihatsu Hijet?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,160 (£180/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 62% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.
Daihatsu Hijet Reliability Trend
Older Daihatsu Hijets tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 6 percentage points across model years.
Buying a Used 1994 Daihatsu Hijet
At 32 years old, the Daihatsu Hijet is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 76%. Note: with only 63 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Suspension Bushings
Watch outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Higher Than Average Failure Rate
Watch outWith a 62% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu Hijet(1994) | 62% | £1,175 | £230 | Grp 1-8 | £2,160 |
| Rover Mini(1993) | 74% | £1,398 | £230 | Grp 8-20 | £2,183+£23 |
| Ford Escort(1996) | 77% | £1,398 | £230 | Grp 8-20 | £2,183+£23 |
| Nissan Micra(1996) | 67% | £1,175 | £230 | Grp 1-8 | £2,160same |
| Honda Civic(1995) | 80% | £1,398 | £230 | Grp 8-20 | £2,033-£127 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet
Is the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet reliable?
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 62% of MOT tests on 1994 Daihatsu Hijets ended in a pass, from 63 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 1994 Daihatsu Hijet cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,160 a year (£180 a month): £1,175 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Daihatsu Hijet?
62% of 63 MOT tests on the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 192nd of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom 7%).
Which year Daihatsu Hijet has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Daihatsu Hijet has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.
What is the average mileage for a 1994 Daihatsu Hijet?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Daihatsu Hijet is 58,613 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
Related Daihatsu Models
Explore other Daihatsu cars or similar models in the same category.
Daihatsu Sirion
2008 · 1298cc Petrol
Daihatsu Terios
2007 · 1495cc Petrol
Daihatsu Fourtrak
1998 · 2765cc Diesel
Rover Mini
1993 · 1275cc Petrol
Ford Escort
1996 · 1391cc Petrol
Nissan Micra
1996 · 998cc Petrol
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