Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Daihatsu Yrv?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Daihatsu Yrv?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Daihatsu Yrv?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Daihatsu Yrv vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv reliable?

Based on MOT data from 425 vehicles, the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (68.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (45.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Daihatsu Yrv?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Daihatsu Yrv (2003)

425 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.9% first-time pass rate

2003 Daihatsu Yrv

CarHunch analysed 425 real MOT records for the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 425 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 Daihatsu YRV has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.9%, sitting 5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, which suggests slightly weaker reliability than typical cars of this age. More concerning is that 27.3% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the 20% threshold—this is a meaningful buyer concern that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

These YRVs are running at a reasonable 50,747 miles median for their age, yet they average 4.04 failures and 17.3 advisories per test, indicating persistent minor wear and maintenance gaps rather than catastrophic issues. Before buying, insist on a full independent mechanic's check and request the complete MOT history to identify recurring failure patterns, particularly around any dangerous defects flagged.

The 2003 Daihatsu Yrv has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.9% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

27.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.04

Over 15.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

51k

Middle half: 37k–66k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 17.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 425 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 425 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 68.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 45.1%

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Brakes imbalanced across an axle · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 27.9%

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Oil leak

Exhaust & emissions 23.8%

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Suspension & steering 23.5%

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Wipers & washers 22.6%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Lighting 22%

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 425 Daihatsu Yrv cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Daihatsu Yrv

Based on MOT data from 425 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	424	74.8%	4.05

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,903 Daihatsu Yrv vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 24%

697

Grey 19.8%

576

Silver 15%

436

Green 14.4%

419

Blue 14.3%

416

Black 9.7%

281

Yellow 2.3%

White 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Daihatsu Yrv vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,747

typical

37,471

low mileage

65,677

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Daihatsu Yrv vehicles fall between 37,471 and 65,677 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 37,471 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 37,471–65,677 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Daihatsu Yrvs sit.

⚠ Over 88,663 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Daihatsu Yrv — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2003 Daihatsu Yrvs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.04

Avg failures per vehicle

17.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Daihatsu Yrv: All Yrv years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2004

Or browse all models: Daihatsu →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Daihatsu Yrv stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on