2003 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 105,452 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Ford Focus, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.8% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.5% in the 150k+ group versus 21.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 19,608 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 17,885 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 10,576 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 7,736 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 6,372 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 6,314 |
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 | 9,121 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 7,272 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6,062 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 5,284 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 5,028 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 4,785 |
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 | 40.2% | 42,389 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.5% | 36,336 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.1% | 30,719 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.6% | 19,603 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 18,167 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 17,156 |
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 | 4,495 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 14,678 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 26,209 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 28,970 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 19,200 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 10,860 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 96,211 | 29.9% |
| Diesel | 9,236 | 33.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,552 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 25,387 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 19,754 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 15,194 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 11,565 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Focus
Before buying a 2003 Ford Focus, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Brakes (10.0% 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 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 105,452 2003 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford Focus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2003 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 105,452 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.