2003 Maserati Spyder — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 310 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Maserati Spyder, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 84.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.7% in the 60-90k group versus 4.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 18 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 18 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.5% | 11 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 9 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.9% | 9 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.6% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering rack | 13 |
| 2 | Wipers | 9 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 7 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 7 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
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 | 21.9% | 68 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 46 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 18 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.9% | 12 |
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 | 46 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 179 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 73 | 13.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 64 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 62 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 59 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 54 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Spyder
Before buying a 2003 Maserati Spyder, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (5.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.8% 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 (3.5% 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 Maserati Spyders pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 310 2003 Maserati Spyder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Maserati Spyder?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by brakes (5.8%).
Does the 2003 Spyder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 13.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 310 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.