Toyota Yaris T3 (2003)
2003 Toyota Yaris T3
CarHunch analysed 300 real MOT records for the 2003 Toyota Yaris T3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Toyota Yaris T3 struggles on first-time MOT, with a 57.9% pass rate well below the UK average of 80%—a significant red flag for reliability. The good news is that no vehicle in this sample has ever recorded a dangerous defect, so while these cars need work, they're not death traps.
At around 100,700 miles median, these are well-used examples, yet they're averaging 0.71 failures per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than fundamental design flaws. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, exhaust systems, and braking components—the usual culprits on ageing Yaris models at this mileage.
What to check before buying a 2003 Toyota Yaris T3
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.
- 📄 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 Toyota Yaris T3
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (72%) | 216 | 80% | 0.99 |
| Petrol (28%) | 83 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Toyota Yaris T3 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 Toyota Yaris T3 vehicles fall between 77,393 and 125,805 miles.
2003 Toyota Yaris T3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 39 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Toyota Yaris T3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.