2003 Ford Ka + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,348 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Ford Ka +, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.5% was below the average for city cars of a similar age (69.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.8% in the 120-150k group versus 24.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.5% | 3,232 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 2,388 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.2% | 1,326 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 1,201 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 1,076 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 925 |
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 | 2,956 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,454 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 863 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 800 |
| 5 | Wipers | 781 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 765 |
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 | 42.7% | 6,125 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 4,090 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.8% | 3,707 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.4% | 3,354 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 2,148 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.4% | 1,642 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,806 | 24.0% |
| 30-60k | 6,547 | 31.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,508 | 36.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,295 | 42.6% |
| 120-150k | 156 | 37.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,952 | 35.2% |
| 2022 | 3,559 | 33.9% |
| 2023 | 2,572 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 1,870 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 1,395 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Ka +
Before buying a 2003 Ford Ka +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 22.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (22.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 Ford Ka +s pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 14,348 2003 Ford Ka + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford Ka +?
Suspension, recorded in 22.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.6%).
Does the 2003 Ka + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.0% in the 0-30k band to 37.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,348 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.