2003 Perodua Kelisa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 329 MOT tests, the 2003 Perodua Kelisa recorded a 71.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (13.4%) 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, exhaust system and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.3% once past 60-90k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.8% in 2021 to 16.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 44 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 31 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.2% | 27 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 25 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 22 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 20 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 5 | Wipers | 20 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 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 | Suspension | 31.9% | 105 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.2% | 96 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.4% | 77 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.0% | 46 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 39 |
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 | 88 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 156 | 27.6% |
| 60-90k | 68 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 80 | 32.5% |
| 2023 | 59 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 59 | 37.3% |
| 2025 | 42 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Kelisa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (11.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Perodua Kelisas pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 329 2003 Perodua Kelisa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Perodua Kelisa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2003 Kelisa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 329 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.