CarCostCheck

TOYOTA ESTIMA (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 232 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

0cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol0cc23 years old232 tests141k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 0cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 0cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,530
Per month£128/mo
Per week£29/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 23 years old, 74% of TOYOTA ESTIMAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 232 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 140,549 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars207th of 445(top 47%)
Rank among TOYOTA models825th of 996(top 83%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+2%(72% avg)
vs TOYOTA average-10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

140,549

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 TOYOTA ESTIMA has 140,549 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2024 model with a 100% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2003 sits between the two at 74%.

TOYOTA ESTIMA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2024100%5861,359 mi
202393%5470,462 mi
202284%7581,193 mi
202181%917102,879 mi
202080%1,189110,635 mi
201988%1,599108,726 mi
201889%1,85989,214 mi
201791%2,47679,255 mi
201688%2,38794,174 mi
201587%2,01093,735 mi
201490%3,03890,170 mi
201391%4,22381,516 mi
201291%4,45581,616 mi
201187%2,87985,511 mi
201087%3,82390,321 mi
200987%3,46389,757 mi
200886%2,49898,717 mi
200783%1,815102,331 mi
200683%1,658103,888 mi
200573%28999,967 mi
200477%322118,674 mi
200374%232140,549 mi
200268%117137,804 mi
200160%48157,482 mi
200067%33141,989 mi

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About the 2003 TOYOTA ESTIMA

The 2003 TOYOTA ESTIMA is a city car with a 0cc petrol engine. 232 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 140,549 miles at 23 years old, TOYOTA ESTIMA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2003 TOYOTA ESTIMA Fuel Costs

The modest 0cc 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 £955 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 TOYOTA ESTIMA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA ESTIMA Reliability Trend

Newer TOYOTA ESTIMAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 TOYOTA ESTIMA

At 23 years old, the TOYOTA ESTIMA 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 2024 model has the highest pass rate at 100%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 141k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA ESTIMA(2003)74%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
JAGUAR XJ(2001)79%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
FORD F150(2002)85%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£140

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.

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Related Guides

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