2003 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 47,355 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Volkswagen Transporter, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.6% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.6% in the 150k+ group versus 19.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 7,905 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 5,843 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 5,783 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 4,153 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.0% | 3,289 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 2,580 |
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 | 2,787 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 2,393 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,296 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 2,287 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 2,137 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,862 |
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 | 41.6% | 19,706 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 15,121 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.0% | 10,432 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.5% | 9,230 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.5% | 8,280 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 7,114 |
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 | 140 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,030 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,646 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,420 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 8,519 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 29,577 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 47,177 | 29.4% |
| Petrol | 178 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,704 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 9,724 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 9,622 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 9,354 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 8,951 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Transporter
Before buying a 2003 Volkswagen Transporter, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 (12.2% 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 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 47,355 2003 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2003 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 47,355 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.