2003 Hyundai Terracan — MOT failures & pass rate
847 MOT tests on the 2003 Hyundai Terracan are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 3.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and brakes (15.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, track rod end and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 93 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 36.3% versus 30.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.6% in 2021 to 22.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.1% | 119 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 67 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 51 |
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 | 93 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 52 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 44 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 40 |
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 | 40.3% | 341 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.0% | 339 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 186 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.7% | 175 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 163 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 154 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 152 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 274 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 288 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 281 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 227 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 144 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 116 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 79 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Terracan
On a 2003 Terracan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.7% 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 (14.1% 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 Hyundai Terracans pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 847 2003 Hyundai Terracan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Hyundai Terracan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.7%).
Does the 2003 Terracan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 60-90k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 847 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.