2003 Ford F150 — MOT failures & pass rate
341 MOT tests on the 2003 Ford F150 are in this dataset, and 85.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2003 F150 comes out 13.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and brakes (7.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, rbt (sp) and ball joint — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 14 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.5% in the 30-60k band and 21.6% in the 150k+ band, a 15.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 30 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 25 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.1% | 14 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.8% | 6 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 14 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 14 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 9 |
| 4 | Wheel bearings | 6 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 6 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 6 |
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 | 25.8% | 88 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 55 |
| 3 | Tyres | 8.8% | 30 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 22 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 20 |
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 | 62 | 6.5% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 7.6% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 19.5% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 69 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 68 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 65 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 70 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 F150
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.3% 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 (4.1% 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 Ford F150s pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 341 2003 Ford F150 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford F150?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (7.3%).
Does the 2003 F150 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 30-60k band to 21.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 341 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.