2003 Chrysler Voyager — MOT failures & pass rate
459 MOT tests on the 2003 Chrysler Voyager are in this dataset, and 65.6% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.9%) and brakes (20.9%) 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 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.3% in the 60-90k band and 36.5% in the 150k+ band, a 5.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.1% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 96 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 96 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.9% | 82 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 29 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 27 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 52 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 32 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 29 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 28 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.9% | 183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.8% | 169 |
| 3 | Other defects | 24.8% | 114 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.5% | 108 |
| 5 | Tyres | 21.8% | 100 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 97 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 80 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 105 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 152 | 36.2% |
| 150k+ | 104 | 36.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 314 | 36.9% |
| Petrol | 145 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 185 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 120 | 38.3% |
| 2023 | 65 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 52 | 40.4% |
| 2025 | 37 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Voyager
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.9% 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 (17.9% 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.
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 Voyagers pass their MOT?
65.6% of the 459 2003 Chrysler Voyager MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Chrysler Voyager?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by brakes (20.9%).
Does the 2003 Voyager get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.3% in the 60-90k band to 36.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 459 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.