Thinking about buying a used Daihatsu Hijet (2000–2014) in New Zealand? We've documented 14 known faults for this model spanning suspension, engine, transmission, and body & rust. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
14
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$380–$950
Typical repair
6
Systems covered
Known Daihatsu Hijet faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear
CriticalCommonSuspension $180–$550 to fix
The front suspension on all Hijet Cargo generations uses a lower wishbone with a pressed-in ball joint. The joint relies on a rubber boot to retain grease and exclude water and road debris; once the boot splits — common on Japanese-import vehicles aged over 10 years — the joint dries out and wears rapidly. Worn ball joints create vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and in severe cases can separate, causing immediate loss of vehicle control. The Hijet's compact front end places these joints close to the road surface and exposed to water splash.
Symptoms to notice
Clunking or knocking from the front suspension when going over small bumps or speed humps
Vague or wandering steering feel with the vehicle not tracking straight
Uneven or rapid front tyre wear on the inner edge
What to check
Grip each front tyre at 12 and 6 o'clock and attempt to rock it — any play indicates ball joint or wheel bearing wear. Visually inspect the ball joint rubber boot for cracks, splits, or grease loss. Note any clunking over small bumps during a test drive. If a workshop inspection is possible: Raise the front of the vehicle safely. Use a pry bar under the lower arm to check for vertical play in the ball joint itself.
Where to look: Front suspension lower control arm, one per side — visible from beneath the front of the vehicle near each front wheel
Ask the seller
“Has the vehicle had a warrant of fitness issued recently, and did it pass first time?”
“Have the front ball joints or lower control arms been replaced?”
02Rear leaf spring fatigue and sag
MinorCommonSuspension $300–$900 to fix
The Hijet's rear leaf springs sag and can crack after years of carrying loads, reducing ride height, causing bottoming-out and uneven tyre wear, and occasionally snapping a leaf. Overloaded delivery use accelerates fatigue. Replacement springs or added leaves restore ride height.
Symptoms to notice
Rear sits low or unevenly
Bottoming out over bumps
Clunk from rear axle
Uneven rear tyre wear
What to check
Check rear ride height side to side, inspect leaf springs for cracks and sag, and look for signs of bottoming out.
Where to look: Rear leaf springs and axle
Ask the seller
“Do the rear springs sag or clunk?”
“Has it been regularly overloaded?”
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12 more documented faults on the Daihatsu Hijet
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 14 documented faults for the Daihatsu Hijet, the recurring problem areas are suspension, engine, and transmission. A Daihatsu Hijet with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Daihatsu Hijet?
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We've catalogued 14 known faults for the Daihatsu Hijet, covering suspension, engine, and transmission. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Daihatsu Hijet?
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Most single repairs on the Daihatsu Hijet fall between $380–$950 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 14 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Daihatsu Hijet?
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Yes. A Daihatsu Hijet inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.