2003 Ford Transit · 9,471 MOT tests
2003 Ford Transit reliability
2003 Ford Transits fail 46% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 24 Transit years (9,471 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- 46%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 127,459
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,471
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 18.6% of tests fail here (82% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 45% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- 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 Transit
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.5%
- Suspension22.4%
- Body, chassis and structure18.6%
- Brakes16.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10%
- Seat belts and airbags4.9%
- Tyres4.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 12.26%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.89%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 4.84%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 4.55%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Stop lamp not working 4.02%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.96%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (21.98%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.87%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.82%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.88%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.06%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (7.95%)
Other years
Every Ford Transit year
The full picture: Ford Transit reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Transit, 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 Transit reliable?
2003 Ford Transits fail 46% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 24 Transit years (9,471 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Ford Transit MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (12.26% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.89% of tests), position lamp not working (4.84% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Ford Transit have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Ford Transit shows 127,459 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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