2003 Daihatsu Terios — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,388 MOT tests, the 2003 Daihatsu Terios recorded a 65.8% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 28.2% of the time, so this is 6.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (19.7%) and suspension (17.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, chassis condition and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 350 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.4% versus 29.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 44.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.7% | 274 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 239 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 150 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 146 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.7% | 107 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 84 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 350 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 207 |
| 3 | Joints | 133 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 126 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 120 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 85 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.5% | 618 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.5% | 451 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.5% | 354 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.9% | 276 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 183 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 130 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 221 | 29.0% |
| 60-90k | 592 | 35.3% |
| 90-120k | 394 | 34.8% |
| 120-150k | 154 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 432 | 34.7% |
| 2022 | 353 | 34.6% |
| 2023 | 272 | 35.3% |
| 2024 | 184 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 147 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Terios
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 19.7% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (19.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (17.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (10.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Daihatsu Terioss pass their MOT?
65.8% of the 1,388 2003 Daihatsu Terios MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Daihatsu Terios?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (17.2%).
Does the 2003 Terios get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.0% in the 30-60k band to 34.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,388 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.