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DAIHATSU TERIOS (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 268 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1298cc23 years old268 tests89k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1298cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the DAIHATSU brand average of 71%.

At 23 years old, 67% of DAIHATSU TERIOSs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 268 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 89,395 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars366th of 445(top 82%)
Rank among DAIHATSU models70th of 100(top 70%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-5%(72% avg)
vs DAIHATSU average-4%(71% avg)

Mileage Analysis

89,395

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS has 89,395 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2009 model with a 79% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 60%. The 2003 sits between the two at 67%.

DAIHATSU TERIOS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200979%93989,414 mi
200875%1,56094,758 mi
200771%1,89194,378 mi
200670%1,16994,003 mi
200565%60683,984 mi
200460%33884,955 mi
200367%26889,395 mi
200265%13591,850 mi
200160%10891,871 mi
200071%7067,998 mi
199971%14374,076 mi
199869%5155,441 mi

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About the 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS

The 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS is a small family car with a 1298cc petrol engine. 268 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 82% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 89,395 miles at 23 years old, DAIHATSU TERIOS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS Fuel Costs

The 1298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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 TERIOS Reliability Trend

The DAIHATSU TERIOS has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS

At 23 years old, the DAIHATSU TERIOS 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 2009 model has the highest pass rate at 79%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 DAIHATSU TERIOS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 89k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 TERIOS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
DAIHATSU TERIOS(2003)67%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Daihatsu Models

Explore other Daihatsu cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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