2003 Vauxhall Vectra · 3,203 MOT tests
2003 Vauxhall Vectra reliability
2003 Vauxhall Vectras fail 47.3% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 11 Vectra years (3,203 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Vectras: 45.9%)
- 47.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Vectras: 45.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 107,056
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,203
- 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: 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.1% of tests fail here (50% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: lights and electrics, 19% 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 Vauxhall Vectra
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20.3%
- Brakes19%
- Lights and electrics17.6%
- Body, chassis and structure11.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.6%
- Tyres7.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.49%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.21%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.84%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.21%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.09%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 3.97%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (21.54%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.36%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (15.67%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.89%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.77%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (10.74%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Vectra year
The full picture: Vauxhall Vectra reliability. Before you pay for any Vauxhall Vectra, 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 Vauxhall Vectra reliable?
2003 Vauxhall Vectras fail 47.3% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 11 Vectra years (3,203 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Vauxhall Vectra MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.49% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.21% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.84% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Vauxhall Vectra have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Vauxhall Vectra shows 107,056 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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