Used Volkswagen Taro Power Steering Pump

The Volkswagen Taro was a rebadged Toyota HiLux pickup truck sold in Europe during the early 1990s, and like the HiLux of that era, power steering was not a standard fitment across the range — many Taro trucks used a straightforward recirculating-ball manual steering setup with no pump at all. Some later or higher-specification variants may have been offered with power steering depending on the market, but this was not a universal feature of the model. Before searching for a used pump, you should physically check whether your Taro has a power steering reservoir, belt-driven pump, and high-pressure steering hoses, as a manual-steering truck simply will not have any of these components. If your steering is heavy but you have no pump, the cause is likely worn steering box or linkage components rather than a failed pump.

If your Taro was built without factory power steering, heavy steering is completely normal and no pump exists to replace. Check under the bonnet for a power steering reservoir (usually a small fluid reservoir marked with a steering wheel symbol) and a belt-driven pump mounted to the engine — if these are absent, your truck left the factory with manual steering. If your truck does have these components and steering has suddenly become heavier, then a failing pump or a fluid leak could be the cause, and it would be worth asking a breaker for a pump sourced from another Taro or equivalent-spec HiLux of the same generation. Confirm all details against your registration with the breaker before ordering.

Because the Taro was mechanically identical to the Toyota HiLux of the same period, parts from the equivalent HiLux generation are widely considered interchangeable, and breakers who specialise in Japanese pickups or the HiLux are often a better source of supply than searching specifically for Taro-badged parts. The key is matching the correct HiLux generation and engine variant, as pump specifications could differ between engine sizes. You should confirm the HiLux generation, engine code, and whether the donor vehicle had power steering against your own vehicle's details with the breaker before purchasing.

Yes, engine size and type are relevant because different engines may use different pump mounting arrangements, drive configurations, and pressure ratings. The Taro was available with different four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines depending on the market and year, so a pump from a different engine variant may not mount or connect correctly even if it looks similar. Always tell the breaker your engine size and fuel type alongside your registration so they can cross-reference the correct application.

Trim level on the Taro could be relevant in the sense that higher-specification variants were more likely to have been fitted with optional power steering where it was available, so trim is worth mentioning to the breaker as context. However, once you have confirmed that two trucks share the same generation and engine and both have power steering, trim level alone is unlikely to affect pump fitment. What matters mechanically is the engine and steering system fitted, not cosmetic or comfort-level differences between trim grades.

The Volkswagen Taro was sold in relatively small numbers in the UK and specialist Taro breakers are rare, but because the truck is mechanically a Toyota HiLux, breakers stocking HiLux parts are your most practical option. When contacting breakers through Findapart, mention both the Taro and the equivalent HiLux generation and engine to widen your search. Confirm that the donor vehicle's steering system matches yours before committing, as the breaker will need to verify compatibility against your specific vehicle's details.