2003 Peugeot Partner — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,714 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Peugeot Partner, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.3% in the 150k+ group versus 27.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 2,040 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 1,593 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 1,219 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 904 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 730 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.5% | 631 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 671 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 650 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 628 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 587 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 477 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 438 |
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 | 35.5% | 3,445 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.4% | 3,048 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.9% | 2,707 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 2,029 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.7% | 1,820 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 1,775 |
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 | 48 | 27.1% |
| 30-60k | 271 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,346 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,529 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,685 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,806 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,365 | 31.8% |
| Petrol | 1,349 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,877 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 2,303 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 1,875 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 1,503 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 1,156 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Partner
Before buying a 2003 Peugeot Partner, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.4% 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.
- Brakes (12.6% 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 Peugeot Partners pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 9,714 2003 Peugeot Partner MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Peugeot Partner?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by suspension (16.4%).
Does the 2003 Partner get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.1% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,714 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.