Toyota Townace (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

53%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

53% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 29 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Toyota Townace

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

Diesel2000cc23 years old34 tests139k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2000cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

53% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 29 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Toyota brand average of 84%.

53% of MOT tests on Toyota Townaces from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 34 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 139,030 miles.

Got a Toyota Townace you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models426th of 429(bottom 1%)

Rank among Toyota models967th of 970(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-29%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-19%(72% avg)

vs Toyota average-31%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

139,030

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Toyota Townace had 139,030 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific Toyota Townace?

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2005 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

+19%

Vauxhall Astra

2005 · 1598cc Diesel

£2,144/year

69%

+16%

Honda Civic

2005 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

73%

+20%

Audi A3

2005 · 1595cc Diesel

£1,944/year

72%

+19%

Check a Specific Toyota Townace

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.

About the 2003 Toyota Townace

The 2003 Toyota Townace is a family car. Our records list a 2000cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 34 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 1% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 139,030 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Townace owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2003 Toyota Townace Fuel Costs

The 2000cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 Toyota Townace?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 53% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2003 Toyota Townace

At 23 years old, the Toyota Townace 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. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 139k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 53% 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 Toyota Townace stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Toyota Townace(2003)	53%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Volkswagen Golf(2005)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Vauxhall Astra(2005)	69%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£2,144-£283
Honda Civic(2005)	73%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£214
Audi A3(2005)	72%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£483

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Toyota Townace

Is the 2003 Toyota Townace reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 53% of MOT tests on 2003 Toyota Townaces ended in a pass, from 34 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 29 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Toyota Townace cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Toyota Townace?

53% of 34 MOT tests on the 2003 Toyota Townace ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 426th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 1%).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Toyota Townace?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Toyota Townace is 139,030 miles, which is in line with the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.