2003 Maserati Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Maserati Coupe passed 81.9% of its 695 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 9.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (7.9%) and lighting & signalling (6.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and steering rack — headlamp aim alone was recorded 38 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.7% in the 0-30k band and 22.0% in the 90-120k band, a 19.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 7.9% | 55 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 48 |
| 3 | Steering | 3.9% | 27 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.7% | 26 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 21 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 31 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 29 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 5 | Wipers | 20 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
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 | 23.6% | 164 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.8% | 117 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.7% | 88 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 60 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 29 |
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 | 37 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 271 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 333 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 158 | 16.5% |
| 2022 | 150 | 18.7% |
| 2023 | 135 | 17.8% |
| 2024 | 126 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 126 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Coupe
On a 2003 Coupe, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (7.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (3.9% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 Maserati Coupes pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 695 2003 Maserati Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Maserati Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.9%).
Does the 2003 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 22.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 695 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.