2003 Chrysler Crossfire — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Chrysler Crossfire passed 72.3% of its 793 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2003 Crossfire sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp alone was recorded 68 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.9% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 139 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 67 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 54 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 57 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 52 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 42 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 36 |
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 | 32.7% | 259 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.1% | 239 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 184 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 119 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.5% | 99 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 92 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 107 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 338 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 199 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 173 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 160 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 142 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 119 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Crossfire
On a 2003 Crossfire, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 Chrysler Crossfires pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 793 2003 Chrysler Crossfire MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Chrysler Crossfire?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2003 Crossfire get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 30-60k band to 33.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 793 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.