2003 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,146 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Ford Galaxy, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.8% was below the average for MPVs of a similar age (69.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.2% in the 150k+ group versus 25.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.8% | 1,692 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 1,610 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 1,230 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.4% | 1,088 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.0% | 653 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.7% | 548 |
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 | 1,177 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 833 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 650 |
| 4 | Joints | 629 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 590 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 543 |
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 | 46.0% | 3,746 |
| 2 | Brakes | 45.8% | 3,730 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.0% | 2,522 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.5% | 2,155 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.0% | 1,707 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 1,544 |
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 | 164 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 681 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,641 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,397 | 34.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,243 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,474 | 33.2% |
| Petrol | 1,672 | 33.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,082 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 2,122 | 33.3% |
| 2023 | 1,448 | 33.0% |
| 2024 | 893 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 601 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Galaxy
Before buying a 2003 Ford Galaxy, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 20.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (20.8% 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 (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.1% 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+.
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 Galaxys pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 8,146 2003 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford Galaxy?
Suspension, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.8%).
Does the 2003 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 30-60k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,146 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.