A compact and lightweight Japanese city car built by Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu, sold in Europe from 2005 to 2012, shortly before the brand withdrew from the European new-car market in early 2013. The 1.3 K3-VE four-cylinder produces 87-91 hp and delivers excellent fuel economy in a body weighing under 1,000 kg. Also sold as the Toyota Passo in Japan and Subaru Justy in some markets, it benefits from Toyota group engineering and widely available aftermarket parts despite Daihatsu's European exit.· more· less
Very low running costsRobust timing-chain engine
Prone to body corrosionNo dealer network since 2013
Buy if: You want a frugal, mechanically simple city car and can find one with sound bodywork and complete service history.
Avoid if: You live in a salt-heavy climate and cannot verify the car is free of structural corrosion on sills and wheel arches.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€2,200
median asking price, typically 155,000 km
Typical range€1,600 – €3,500
Maintenance cost
€500 – €1,000/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €600 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€150 – €400 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Structural rust develops on sills, rear arches, and underbody, especially in salt-climate countries · more· less
The Sirion M300 is well documented for corrosion problems, with sills and rear wheel arches being the most commonly affected areas. Moisture traps in drainage channels and layered body panels accelerate the process. In Northern European countries where road salt is used, surface rust can progress to structural damage that fails vehicle inspections. Owners on the Daihatsu Drivers Club UK forum report recurring MOT failures from sill corrosion requiring welding repairs. Repair costs vary widely: surface treatment and touch-up may cost €300-500, while structural welding on both sills runs €800-1,500. Inspect from underneath and poke any suspicious areas firmly. Once corrosion has penetrated the structural sill, repeated repairs are common.
Electric power steering (EPS) failure
€400 - 1,0002 of 5
EPS motor or ECU failure causes heavy steering and warning light on the dashboard · more· less
The Sirion M300 uses an electric power steering system that can develop faults in the EPS motor, torque sensor, or control ECU. Symptoms include an illuminated EPS warning light and noticeably heavier steering, sometimes intermittent at first. Common fault codes are C1554 (power steering failure), C1552 (power supply), and C1555 (motor fault). In some cases, cleaning the EPS motor resolves the issue. ECU repair services are available from specialists for around €250-400. Full EPS column replacement costs €600-1,000 depending on whether a new or refurbished unit is used. Low battery voltage can trigger false EPS warnings, so always check the battery condition first.
Exhaust system corrosion
€200 - 6003 of 5
Rust damage to the exhaust, particularly around the catalytic converter connection and rear silencer · more· less
Exhaust corrosion typically appears after 60,000-80,000 km depending on climate and driving conditions. The catalytic converter mounting area and the rear silencer section are the most commonly affected. Aftermarket replacement exhaust sections are readily available and inexpensive: a rear silencer costs around €80-150, while a catalytic converter replacement runs €150-400 depending on whether aftermarket or OEM-equivalent parts are used. The small engine size means lower exhaust temperatures, which paradoxically allows more condensation to form and promotes internal corrosion. Regular longer drives help burn off accumulated moisture.
Ignition coil failure
€100 - 3004 of 5
Coils degrade with age, causing misfires and rough running · more· less
Ignition coil failures cause engine misfires, rough idling, and occasionally starting difficulties. The K3-VE uses individual coil-on-plug units, and typically one coil fails rather than all four simultaneously. A replacement coil costs €30-60, and labour is straightforward as the coils sit on top of the engine. On higher-mileage cars, replacing all four coils and spark plugs together is advisable as a preventive measure, bringing total cost to €150-300. Worn spark plugs with incorrect gaps increase the load on ignition coils and accelerate their failure. Corroded wiring connectors in the engine bay can also cause intermittent misfire symptoms.
ABS sensor and wiring connector corrosion
€100 - 4005 of 5
Corrosion in wiring connector blocks triggers ABS and handbrake warning lights · more· less
The ABS warning light is a common complaint on the Sirion M300, often traced to corroded wiring connector blocks rather than the sensors themselves. One documented case on the Autodoc forum found green corrosion on connector pins under the passenger footwell fuse box area, caused by moisture ingress. Cleaning the connectors and applying dielectric grease resolved the warning lights completely. If the ABS module itself has failed, repair specialists offer ECU rebuilds for €200-350. Individual wheel speed sensors cost €30-60 each. Always start diagnosis with a scan tool before replacing parts, as the wiring corrosion is the most common root cause.
Mechanically robust but body corrosion needs careful inspection
The K3-VE engine is a durable unit with a timing chain that requires no scheduled replacement, and many examples exceed 200,000 km without major mechanical issues. The main ownership concern is body corrosion, which is well documented on the Sirion and can lead to expensive structural repairs or inspection failures. Electric power steering and exhaust corrosion are secondary concerns. Daihatsu stopped selling new cars in Europe in 2013 but kept official service partners and parts supply, and most mechanical parts are shared with Toyota and widely available through aftermarket suppliers at reasonable prices.
Service history
Complete records from any qualified garage. Verify oil changes at least annually.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes on sidewall), and uneven wear patterns.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for unusual noises and observe idle quality.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including varied speeds. Check steering feel and braking.
Specific for this vehicle
Inspect sills and wheel arches from underneath
Use a torch and press firmly on any suspicious areas. Check both inner and outer sills for bubbling paint, rust holes, or previous weld repairs.
Test electric power steering
Turn the steering wheel fully in both directions at low speed. Check for an EPS warning light on the dashboard and feel for any heavy spots or intermittent loss of assistance.
Check for ABS and EPS warning lights
All warning lights should illuminate briefly during ignition and then go out. Persistent ABS or EPS lights indicate faults that need diagnosis.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Verify recall status with a Daihatsu service partner
The only campaign that reaches this car is the Italian clutch-cable action for November 2004 to January 2005 build. Have your national Daihatsu service organisation check the VIN rather than assuming a Toyota dealer holds the record.
Check exhaust system condition
Look underneath for rust-through on the exhaust, particularly around the catalytic converter mounting and rear silencer. Tap suspect areas gently.
Inspect underbody and subframe
Check the underbody for surface rust spreading to structural components. Look at subframe mounting points and suspension attachment areas.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Clutch cable possibly incorrectly installed, Italian campaign (November 2004 - January 2005 production)Verify if applicable
Contact your national Daihatsu service organisation with the VIN to verify recall completion. Daihatsu stopped selling new cars in Europe in 2013 but kept official service partners, parts supply, and warranty support, so recall checks run through that network rather than generically through Toyota dealers.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)Expired on all Sirion M300 models
Extended warrantyNot available for a car of this age
Rust perforation warranty (8 years)Expired on all models
All Sirion M300 models are well outside their original factory warranty. Daihatsu ended European new-car sales in 2013 but retained official service partners and parts supply, and most mechanical components are shared with Toyota, so servicing and spares remain straightforward.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
