2003 Hyundai Terracan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 847 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Hyundai Terracan, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 71.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.3% in the 150k+ group versus 30.3% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.1% | 119 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 67 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 93 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 52 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 44 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 40 |
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 | 40.3% | 341 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.0% | 339 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 186 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.7% | 175 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 163 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 154 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 152 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 274 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 288 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 281 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 227 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 144 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 116 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 79 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Terracan
Before buying a 2003 Hyundai Terracan, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.7% 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.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
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 Hyundai Terracans pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 847 2003 Hyundai Terracan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Hyundai Terracan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.7%).
Does the 2003 Terracan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 60-90k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 847 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.