Daihatsu Hijet (2003)
2003 Daihatsu Hijet
CarHunch analysed 511 real MOT records for the 2003 Daihatsu Hijet. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Daihatsu Hijet has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.3%, which is 10.7 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful shortfall that suggests these vehicles are more prone to developing faults. More concerning, one in three Hijets (33.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical levels, making thorough pre-purchase inspections essential.
These Hijets are running at modest mileage for their age (median 44,892 miles), yet they're accumulating an average of 4.67 failures and 15.5 advisories per test, indicating chronic wear in multiple systems rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for ongoing repairs and get a full, recent MOT history check before committing—the danger defect rate and failure count suggest mechanical robustness isn't this model's strength.
What to check before buying a 2003 Daihatsu Hijet
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 33.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Daihatsu Hijet
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (86%) | 440 | 69.4% | 4.64 |
| LPG (13%) | 64 | 68.4% | 4.97 |
| Diesel (1%) | 4 | 74.4% | 3 |
| LNG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 77.8% | 2 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 57.1% | 9 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Daihatsu Hijet vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Daihatsu Hijet vehicles fall between 31,809 and 62,031 miles.
2003 Daihatsu Hijet — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Daihatsu Hijet
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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80.2%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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42.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38%
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort
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37.9%
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort
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35.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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30.2%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Daihatsu Hijet?
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