2003 Toyota Corolla · 21,669 MOT tests
2003 Toyota Corolla reliability
2003 Toyota Corollas fail 42.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 Corolla years (21,669 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- 42.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 100,364
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 21,669
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.2% of tests fail here (62% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Toyota Corolla
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.4%
- Brakes16.6%
- Suspension10.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.5%
- Body, chassis and structure6.4%
- Tyres5.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.55%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.53%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 4.25%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.53%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.42%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Stop lamp not working 3.3%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.36%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.96%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.67%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.52%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.72%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (10.46%)
Other years
Every Toyota Corolla year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Toyota Corolla reliable?
2003 Toyota Corollas fail 42.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 Corolla years (21,669 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Toyota Corolla MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.55% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.53% of tests), position lamp not working (4.25% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Toyota Corolla have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Toyota Corolla shows 100,364 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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