2003 Fiat Multipla — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 706 MOT tests, the 2003 Fiat Multipla recorded a 66.3% pass rate. That is 6.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.0%) and lighting & signalling (15.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rbt (sp) and wipers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 61 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.4% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.0% | 127 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.9% | 105 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 75 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 64 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.6% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 61 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 56 |
| 3 | Wipers | 44 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 40 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 38 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | Suspension | 44.0% | 311 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.4% | 271 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 200 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.7% | 139 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.9% | 112 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.2% | 107 |
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 | 78 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 32.9% |
| 90-120k | 173 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 175 | 37.7% |
| 150k+ | 120 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 604 | 33.3% |
| Petrol | 102 | 36.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 217 | 36.4% |
| 2022 | 179 | 36.3% |
| 2023 | 129 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 103 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 78 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Multipla
On a 2003 Multipla, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.9% 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.
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 Fiat Multiplas pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 706 2003 Fiat Multipla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Fiat Multipla?
Suspension, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.6%).
Does the 2003 Multipla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 30-60k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 706 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.