2003 Daihatsu Extol 1.3L Petrol · HCZ 1889
2003 Daihatsu Extol (1.3L, petrol). First registered 01/12/2003. Recorded mileage 85,104 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- DAIHATSU EXTOL
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 12/01/2024
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 85,104 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.3L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 2003
- Engine
- 1298cc
HCZ 1889 Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 12/01/2024
- 85,104 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 11 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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HCZ 1889 Mileage History
- 12/01/202268,978 mi
- 13/01/202268,980 mi+2 mi
- 12/01/202379,047 mi+10,067 mi
- 12/01/202485,104 mi+6,057 mi
Average of roughly 8,068 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
HCZ 1889 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Daihatsu Extol (HCZ 1889) between January 2022 and January 2024.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 12 January 2024 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (6 issues), Bodywork (5 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 4 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Emissions unable to be completed major leak of exhaust gas (8.2.1.2 (d))”; “Central Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak major leak of exhaust gas (8.2.1.1 (b))”; “Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced r”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
We strongly advise against purchasing th
If you are seriously considering this vehicle, you must arrange a thorough pre-purchase inspection with the seller, ideally on a ramp, focusing on the rear inner wheel arches, the rear body crossmember, and the general underbody condition. The MOT advisory from 2022 noted slight underbody corrosion that was undersealed; two years later this has clearly progressed into major structural failure, so any underseal treatment has not halted the rot. Negotiate hard on the basis that structural welding is required, and budget several hundred pounds at minimum for professional repairs before the vehicle could reasonably be put back on the road.
Bear in mind that the previous MOT pass in January 2023 was relatively clean, but the jump in recorded defects at the next test in January 2024 suggests the vehicle deteriorated significantly during the intervening year. Ask the seller for any invoices for work carried out since the last test, and check that the exhaust and brake hose issues have been resolved. Without documented repairs, you cannot assume any of the 2024 failures have been rectified, as there is no subsequent MOT on file.
Running costs on a 22-year-old Daihatsu Extol should be modest in theory — parts are generally inexpensive and the 1.3-litre petrol engine is frugal. Fuel economy is typically in the 35-40 mpg range, road tax is minimal due to the age and engine size, and insurance is likely to fall into a low group. However, this specific vehicle's condition means that maintenance costs in the near term could be disproportionately high, with structural welding, exhaust replacement, brake hose replacement, and headlamp adjustment all likely required.
We would estimate annual running costs of around £1,200-£1,800 in the first 12 months of ownership once essential repairs are factored in, compared with a more typical £700-£900 for a sound example of this age. If you are buying purely on price and intend to scrap or part out the vehicle, factor in whether any repair costs can be recouped.
The single most important area to inspect on this vehicle is the rear structure. The MOT examiner flagged the nearside rear inner wheel arch, the offside rear inner wheel arch behind the wheel arch, and a rear body crossmember as corroded to the point of significantly reduced rigidity. These are not advisories — they are fail items under section 6.1.1 (c) (i), which means the structure is no longer fit for purpose. Probe all four wheel arches and the sills with a screwdriver; if you can push through, walk away or budget for substantial welding.
Beyond the structure, check the exhaust system end-to-end for leaks, particularly around the centre section where the 2024 test recorded a major leak. Inspect the rear brake hose ferrules for corrosion, the parking brake travel and efficiency, and both headlamp alignment. The 2022 failure noted a worn offside front lower suspension ball joint and an ineffective front wiper — confirm these have been replaced. Finally, examine the underbody thoroughly; although undersealed in 2022, the rapid progression to structural failure suggests corrosion is now well established underneath.
This white 1298cc petrol Daihatsu Extol was first registered in December 2003 and has covered 85,104 miles across the most recent MOT record. The MOT history shows a clean pass in January 2023 but two failures within two years — a 2022 failure involving suspension and lighting, and a 2024 failure involving serious structural corrosion. The 2024 outcome is particularly concerning because three separate items flagged integral body structure corrosion affecting rigidity, alongside an exhaust leak and brake defects.
No aggregate reliability data is available for the Daihatsu Extol within our dataset, so model-wide reliability trends cannot be quoted. Daihatsu products of this era were generally considered mechanically simple and dependable, but age-related corrosion is a common issue across nearly all small Japanese vehicles of the early 2000s, particularly those that have spent their lives in the UK climate.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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