2003 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,907 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Ford Transit, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 68.8% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.1% in the 150k+ group versus 26.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 3,514 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.8% | 3,367 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 2,808 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.8% | 2,416 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 1,606 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.0% | 748 |
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 | 6,572 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 3,075 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 2,735 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,245 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,231 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 1,227 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.5% | 7,098 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.5% | 6,900 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.8% | 4,877 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 3,737 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 3,673 |
| 6 | Visibility | 14.7% | 2,778 |
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 | 454 | 26.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,509 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,550 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,627 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,124 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 6,233 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,229 | 31.3% |
| Petrol | 669 | 30.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,588 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 4,572 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 3,558 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 2,879 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 2,310 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Transit
Before buying a 2003 Ford Transit, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Transits pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 18,907 2003 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (17.8%).
Does the 2003 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,907 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.