2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Ford Fusion MOT pass rate and common faults

3,506 MOT tests in 2024. 53.9% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

94Below average
Passed first time53.9%
Failed or needed repairs46.1%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,506 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working7.9%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.6%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.2%
  4. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.2%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.9%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
  8. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics39.4%
  2. Brakes24.8%
  3. Suspension20.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.2%
  6. Body & chassis7.2%
  7. Tyres6.8%
  8. Steering2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded32.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.9%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Ford Fusion?

In 2024, 53.9% of 2003 Ford Fusion cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,506 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Ford Fusion?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Ford Fusion reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 94, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).