How much does a 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?

The 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 46 tests in 2026. This ranks 135 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year HYUNDAI ELANTRA is most reliable?

The 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has the highest MOT pass rate at 66%. The least reliable year is 2002 at 47%.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of HYUNDAI ELANTRAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 46 tests. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?

The average mileage for a 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is 73,357 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 46 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1599cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1957/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1599cc23 years old46 tests73k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1599cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1599cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the HYUNDAI brand average of 83%.

At 23 years old, 78% of HYUNDAI ELANTRAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 46 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,357 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars135th of 445(top 30%)

Rank among HYUNDAI models267th of 417(top 64%)

vs national average-4%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+6%(72% avg)

vs HYUNDAI average-5%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,357

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 73,357 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

The most reliable year is the 2004 model with a 66% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 47%. The 2003 sits between the two at 78%.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	63%	64	100,198 mi
2004	66%	53	102,607 mi
2003	78%	46	73,357 mi
2002	47%	55	95,887 mi
2001	63%	67	93,713 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-7%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-7%

FORD FIESTA

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

-7%

TOYOTA YARIS

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

-5%

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About the 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is a small family car with a 1599cc petrol engine. 46 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,357 miles at 23 years old, HYUNDAI ELANTRA 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 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Fuel Costs

The 1599cc 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 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA Reliability Trend

Newer HYUNDAI ELANTRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

At 23 years old, the HYUNDAI ELANTRA 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 2004 model has the highest pass rate at 66%. Note: with only 46 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'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.

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

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
HYUNDAI ELANTRA(2003)	78%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
FORD FIESTA(2003)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235

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.