2003 Fiat Stilo — MOT failures & pass rate
1,377 MOT tests on the 2003 Fiat Stilo are in this dataset, and 65.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 6.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.5%) and lighting & signalling (18.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 148 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.5% | 255 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 248 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 159 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.3% | 101 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 100 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 148 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 92 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 92 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 86 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 81 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 79 |
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 | 42.1% | 580 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 414 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.3% | 403 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.8% | 328 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 225 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.2% | 209 |
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 | 252 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 434 | 33.2% |
| 90-120k | 319 | 37.0% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 37.1% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 945 | 34.1% |
| Diesel | 432 | 34.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 508 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 371 | 34.2% |
| 2023 | 240 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 151 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 107 | 33.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Stilo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.5% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.5% 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 (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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 Stilos pass their MOT?
65.9% of the 1,377 2003 Fiat Stilo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Fiat Stilo?
Suspension, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2003 Stilo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.8% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,377 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.