2003 LDV Convoy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 588 MOT tests, the 2003 LDV Convoy recorded a 66.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 5.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 23.1% of all tests — 7.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 38.7% versus 32.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 47.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.2% in 2021 to 28.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.2% | 95 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 74 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.7% | 69 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.9% | 64 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.8% | 46 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 64 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 59 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 53 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 48 |
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 | 47.8% | 281 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.0% | 229 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 151 |
| 4 | Steering | 25.5% | 150 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.3% | 149 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 134 |
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 | 137 | 32.1% |
| 60-90k | 187 | 34.8% |
| 90-120k | 133 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 161 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 129 | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 123 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 98 | 35.7% |
| 2025 | 77 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Convoy
On a 2003 Convoy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.6% 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 LDV Convoys pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 588 2003 LDV Convoy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 LDV Convoy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.1% of tests, followed by brakes (16.2%).
Does the 2003 Convoy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.1% in the 30-60k band to 38.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 588 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.