The 2005 DAIHATSU MOVE is a kei-car staple: compact, economical, and surprisingly practical for city life.
Owners who’ve lived with these cars for years tend to praise their running costs and utility, while also pointing out a few age- and class-related compromises.
This concise, owner-sourced summary highlights what people like, what they commonly complain about, and practical, real-world tips for buying and owning one.
What Owners Tend to Like
- Fuel economy and low running costs: The tiny 660cc engines used in the Move deliver excellent fuel consumption in town and on the highway for this class. Insurance and tax (in markets where kei rules apply) are typically lower than larger cars.
- Easy to park and maneuver: Short wheelbase and narrow width make the Move ideal for city driving, tight parking spaces and narrow streets.
- Surprisingly roomy cabin: For a kei car, the Move often earns compliments for clever packaging — decent headroom, flexible rear seats that fold flat or tumble, and usable cargo space for shopping and small moves.
- Cheap parts and simple mechanics: Routine maintenance is inexpensive compared to larger cars. Many owners report finding used parts and aftermarket components cheaply, particularly in regions with a healthy Japanese used-car export market.
- Reliability when maintained: With routine servicing, many Moves pass 150,000–200,000 km without major failures. Owners emphasize regular oil changes and attention to small warning signs.
What Owners Commonly Complain About
- Lack of outright power: The small engine limits acceleration, especially when carrying passengers or climbing steep grades. Turbo variants (if equipped) help, but still won’t match larger engines.
- CVT and transmission quirks: Many Moves use continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). Owners warn of jerky behavior or slipping if the CVT hasn’t been serviced properly — repairs can be costly if a unit fails.
- Noise and refinement: Engine and road noise are more noticeable than in modern compact cars. Some owners find the ride rougher over poor road surfaces.
- Rust and age-related corrosion: Older examples — especially those exposed to salted roads — can suffer rust in wheel arches, sills and underbody areas.
- Limited safety features: Expect basic safety equipment relative to modern standards — airbag count, ABS and active safety tech are often minimal on 2005 models.
Real-World Buying Checklist (Owner Tips)
Before buying a 2005 DAIHATSU Move, go through this practical checklist used by experienced owners:
- Exterior and rust: Inspect wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, boot floor and underbody for rust or patch repairs. Pay particular attention to welded seams.
- Engine start and idle: Cold-start the car. Listen for excessive ticking, knocking or loud lifter noise. Check for blue/white smoke on startup — signs of oil burning or coolant issues.
- Transmission behavior: Test-drive in varied conditions. For CVT cars, watch for rubber-band feeling, hesitation, or slipping under load. Note any warning lights.
- Oil and coolant condition: Check oil level and color, gearbox fluid (if visible) and coolant. Milky oil suggests coolant contamination (head gasket or other issue).
- Service history: Look for consistent maintenance receipts. Confirm when consumables were last changed: timing belt/chain (see below), CVT service, brakes, and tune-ups.
- Air conditioning and electrics: Confirm AC performance, power windows, central locking and other electronics. Door seals and window mechanisms can be troublesome if neglected.
- Suspension and steering: Check for clunks, excessive play, worn struts or bouncy ride. These are inexpensive fixes but affect comfort and safety.
- VIN and mileage check: Verify VIN, match it to papers, and look for signs of odometer tampering. In markets where records exist, check service and ownership history.
Ownership & Maintenance Tips from Owners
- Regular oil and filter changes: Small engines benefit greatly from more frequent oil changes — many owners do them every 5,000–7,500 km to prolong engine life.
- CVT care: If the Move has a CVT, follow the recommended service intervals for CVT fluid and filter. Early fluid changes can extend the life of the transmission.
- Watch for overheating: Small engines can overheat if cooling system components age. Replace hoses, thermostat and coolant as preventative maintenance.
- Deal with rust early: Treat any surface corrosion quickly to prevent structural issues. Undercarriage treatment and seam sealers are inexpensive preventive steps.
- Join owner forums: Local and international Move forums are invaluable for sourcing parts, DIY guides and specific model quirks. Owners often share part numbers and salvage yard tips.
- Keep a small spare parts stash: Items like bulbs, fuses, filters and common belts are cheap and can save a trip to the shop if something minor fails.
Final thoughts
The 2005 Daihatsu Move is a pragmatic choice for city drivers seeking low running costs, easy parking and surprisingly flexible interior space. Owners consistently praise its economy and simplicity, while cautioning about limited power, age-related rust and transmission care (especially CVTs).
If you’re buying one, focus on rust inspection, transmission behavior and service history. If maintained well, a Move can be an economical, reliable daily driver or second car for urban duties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is the 2005 Daihatsu Move reliable?
- When regularly serviced, many owners find it reliable. The biggest failure points reported are CVT/transmission issues and rust on older bodies. Preventive maintenance reduces most risks.
- How much power does the 2005 Move have? Is it underpowered?
- As a kei car with a 660cc engine, it’s not designed for high-speed performance — it’s optimized for city driving and economy. Turbo variants increase responsiveness but still remain modest compared with larger-engined cars.
- Are parts easy to find?
- Parts are generally inexpensive and available in markets with Japanese used parts networks. In regions without Daihatsu presence, some items may take longer to source but are usually available through importers or aftermarket suppliers.
- What should I watch for during a test drive?
- Listen for unusual engine noises, note CVT behavior (hesitation/slipping), test brakes and steering, check AC and electronics, and drive over bumps to reveal suspension issues.
- Is it a good choice for long trips?
- The Move is capable of longer journeys, but keep expectations realistic: limited power, higher revs at highway speeds, and a less refined ride than larger compact cars. For frequent long-distance travel, consider a larger car.
