2003 Fiat Scudo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,610 MOT tests, the 2003 Fiat Scudo recorded a 67.9% pass rate. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 30.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.0%) and body, structure & corrosion (15.3%) 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, joints and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 419 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Scudo fails 33.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 35.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.0% | 443 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 398 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 384 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.2% | 292 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.0% | 235 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 156 |
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 | 419 |
| 2 | Joints | 197 |
| 3 | Wipers | 171 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 159 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 148 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 143 |
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 | 38.1% | 994 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.2% | 945 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.7% | 827 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 649 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.6% | 641 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 519 |
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 | 294 | 33.3% |
| 30-60k | 107 | 25.2% |
| 60-90k | 260 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 415 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 385 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 347 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 843 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 653 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 482 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 361 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 271 | 34.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Scudo
On a 2003 Scudo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Scudos pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 2,610 2003 Fiat Scudo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Fiat Scudo?
Suspension, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (15.3%).
Does the 2003 Scudo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,610 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.