2003 Mazda Eunos — MOT failures & pass rate
659 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Eunos are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests against 11.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 49 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.3% in the 30-60k band and 32.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 99 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 75 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 58 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 53 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.6% | 37 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 31 |
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 | 49 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 44 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 36 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 33 |
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 | 29.9% | 197 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 26.6% | 175 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.5% | 168 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.6% | 103 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 81 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.9% | 65 |
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 | 43 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 184 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 154 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 145 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 136 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 116 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 108 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Eunos
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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 (8.8% 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 Eunoss pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 659 2003 Mazda Eunos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda Eunos?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2003 Eunos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 30-60k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 659 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.