2003 Chrysler Grand Voyager — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Chrysler Grand Voyager passed 68.5% of its 1,610 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 1.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.7%) and brakes (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 213 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.4% in the 0-30k band and 36.2% in the 150k+ band, a 4.7-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.3pp more often than petrol ones (34.9% vs 29.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.4% in 2021 to 23.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 301 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.1% | 291 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 257 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 116 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 111 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.5% | 88 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 213 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 148 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 145 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 122 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 79 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 74 |
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 | 41.9% | 674 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.0% | 660 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 27.8% | 447 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.6% | 445 |
| 5 | Other defects | 26.0% | 418 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 25.6% | 412 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 35 | 31.4% |
| 30-60k | 89 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 270 | 32.2% |
| 90-120k | 473 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 389 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 354 | 36.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,011 | 29.6% |
| Diesel | 599 | 34.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 598 | 34.4% |
| 2022 | 406 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 278 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 194 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 134 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Grand Voyager
On a 2003 Grand Voyager, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.1% 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.
- Suspension (16.0% 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.
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 Grand Voyagers pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 1,610 2003 Chrysler Grand Voyager MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Chrysler Grand Voyager?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by brakes (18.1%).
Does the 2003 Grand Voyager get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.4% in the 0-30k band to 36.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,610 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.