How much does a 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

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

The 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 38 tests in 2026. This ranks 88 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year HYUNDAI SONATA is most reliable?

The 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%. The least reliable year is 2008 at 67%.

HYUNDAI SONATA (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of HYUNDAI SONATAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 38 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA is 75,884 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 38 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1997cc23 years old38 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/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

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 82% of HYUNDAI SONATAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 38 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 75,884 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars88th of 445(top 20%)

Rank among HYUNDAI models246th of 417(top 59%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+10%(72% avg)

vs HYUNDAI average-1%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

75,884

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA has 75,884 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 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2003 sits between the two at 82%.

HYUNDAI SONATA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2010	89%	44	105,703 mi
2009	69%	98	82,721 mi
2008	67%	101	107,212 mi
2007	75%	174	100,433 mi
2006	73%	195	95,075 mi
2005	69%	188	88,254 mi
2004	83%	58	83,612 mi
2003	82%	38	75,884 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-11%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-11%

TOYOTA COROLLA

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

76%

-6%

RENAULT CLIO

2005 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

67%

-15%

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About the 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA

The 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 38 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 75,884 miles at 23 years old, HYUNDAI SONATA 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 SONATA Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 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 SONATA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

HYUNDAI SONATA Reliability Trend

Older HYUNDAI SONATAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA

At 23 years old, the HYUNDAI SONATA 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 83%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
HYUNDAI SONATA(2003)	82%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)	76%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
RENAULT CLIO(2005)	67%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£170

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.