2003 Ford Focus · 47,476 MOT tests
2003 Ford Focus reliability
2003 Ford Focuss fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 23 Focus years (47,476 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 48.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 95,411
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 47,476
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 6.3% of tests fail here (60% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.7%
- Suspension22.3%
- Brakes13.2%
- Body, chassis and structure10%
- Tyres8.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 6.84%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.15%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 4.52%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.42%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Rear fog lamp not working 4.22%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.9%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.68%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.39%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (14.85%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.71%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.85%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.04%)
Other years
Every Ford Focus year
The full picture: Ford Focus reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Focus, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Ford Focus reliable?
2003 Ford Focuss fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 23 Focus years (47,476 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (6.84% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.15% of tests), position lamp not working (4.52% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Ford Focus shows 95,411 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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