CarCostCheck

SUZUKI CARRY (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,101 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 11 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific SUZUKI CARRY

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol1298cc23 years old1,101 tests92k 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

£500
Total per year£1,887
Per month£157/mo
Per week£36/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this SUZUKI CARRY

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 71% of SUZUKI CARRYs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,101 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 91,685 miles.

Got a SUZUKI CARRY you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars275th of 445(top 62%)
Rank among SUZUKI models248th of 310(top 80%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-1%(72% avg)
vs SUZUKI average-11%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

91,685

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 SUZUKI CARRY has 91,685 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.

Looking at a specific SUZUKI CARRY?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2014 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2003 sits between the two at 71%.

SUZUKI CARRY by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201497%7816,290 mi
201396%11229,819 mi
201294%10932,952 mi
201091%6739,869 mi
200993%4434,636 mi
200891%3431,539 mi
200789%3538,918 mi
200676%13171,010 mi
200573%1,60690,611 mi
200468%1,79389,379 mi
200371%1,10191,685 mi
200272%72986,645 mi
200171%44787,745 mi
200071%31690,400 mi
199962%16283,357 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Suzuki Carry

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2003 SUZUKI CARRY

The 2003 SUZUKI CARRY is a small family car with a 1298cc petrol engine. 1,101 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 91,685 miles at 23 years old, SUZUKI CARRY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 SUZUKI CARRY 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 SUZUKI CARRY?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SUZUKI CARRY Reliability Trend

Newer SUZUKI CARRYs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 19 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 SUZUKI CARRY

At 23 years old, the SUZUKI CARRY 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 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 97%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 SUZUKI CARRY'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 92k 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.

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUZUKI CARRY(2003)71%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1887
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165

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 Suzuki Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Suzuki Carry.

Check a specific SUZUKI CARRY

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a SUZUKI CARRY? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB