Daihatsu Sirion (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 199 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,950

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

989cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £1,950/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol989cc23 years old199 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 989cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,950

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/wk

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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Daihatsu brand average of 71%.

67% of MOT tests on Daihatsu Sirions from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 199 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,428 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models354th of 429(bottom 18%)

Rank among Daihatsu models72nd of 100(bottom half)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-5%(72% avg)

vs Daihatsu average-4%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,428

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Daihatsu Sirion had 74,428 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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 2010 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 81%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 60%. The 2003 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Daihatsu Sirion by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	81%	175	70,810 mi
2009	76%	1,506	72,234 mi
2008	74%	3,129	73,060 mi
2007	73%	2,462	74,433 mi
2006	72%	1,258	78,827 mi
2005	71%	1,323	79,928 mi
2004	67%	201	72,315 mi
2003	67%	199	74,428 mi
2002	72%	255	72,302 mi
2001	66%	120	72,520 mi
2000	62%	99	63,600 mi
1999	60%	130	58,053 mi
1998	64%	64	61,601 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+4%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+6%

Honda Jazz

2005 · 1300cc Petrol

£2,153/year

70%

+3%

Nissan Micra

2005 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

72%

+5%

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About the 2003 Daihatsu Sirion

The 2003 Daihatsu Sirion is a city car. Our records list a 989cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 199 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,428 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Daihatsu Sirion 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.

2003 Daihatsu Sirion Fuel Costs

The modest 989cc 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 2003 Daihatsu Sirion?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,950 (£163/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Daihatsu Sirion Reliability Trend

Newer Daihatsu Sirions pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2003 Daihatsu Sirion

At 23 years old, the Daihatsu Sirion 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 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 81%.

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 risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 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 out

Rubber 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 out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always 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 2003 Daihatsu Sirion 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 Sirion(2003)	67%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,950
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Honda Jazz(2005)	70%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£203
Nissan Micra(2005)	72%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£200

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 2003 Daihatsu Sirion

Is the 2003 Daihatsu Sirion reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 2003 Daihatsu Sirions ended in a pass, from 199 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Daihatsu Sirion cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,950 a year (£163 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 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 2003 Daihatsu Sirion?

67% of 199 MOT tests on the 2003 Daihatsu Sirion ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 354th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 18%).

Which year Daihatsu Sirion has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2010 Daihatsu Sirion has the highest MOT pass rate at 81% and the 1999 the lowest at 60%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Daihatsu Sirion?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Daihatsu Sirion is 74,428 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.