2003 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,124 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda 2 are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and wipers — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 323 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.8% once past 150k — 5.1× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 464 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 352 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.1% | 314 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.8% | 211 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 205 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 187 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 323 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 213 |
| 3 | Wipers | 181 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 172 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 127 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 126 |
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 | 43.0% | 1,345 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.5% | 985 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 901 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 555 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.6% | 549 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 456 |
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 | 75 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 546 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,145 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 852 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 361 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,685 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 439 | 25.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 922 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 758 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 596 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 469 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 379 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.3% 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 (10.1% 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 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 3,124 2003 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.3%).
Does the 2003 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,124 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.