2003 Mazda Premacy — MOT failures & pass rate
285 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda Premacy are in this dataset, and 66.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Premacy comes out 6.0pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.2%) and brakes (14.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, linkage ball joints and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 44 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.6% versus 23.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 36.1% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.2% | 49 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 41 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 20 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.3% | 18 |
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 | 44 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joints | 20 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 18 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 18 |
| 6 | Wipers | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.9% | 88 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 75 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.5% | 67 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 52 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 46 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 33 |
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 | 56 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 35.8% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 40.6% |
| 120-150k | 35 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 74 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 48 | 35.4% |
| 2024 | 36 | 36.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Premacy
On a 2003 Premacy, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.2% 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.
- Brakes (14.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Premacys pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 285 2003 Mazda Premacy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda Premacy?
Suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.4%).
Does the 2003 Premacy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 30-60k band to 28.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 285 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.