2003 Toyota Camry — MOT failures & pass rate
264 MOT tests on the 2003 Toyota Camry are in this dataset, and 79.5% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2003 Camry comes out 7.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.4% of all tests — 8.0 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, wipers and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 23 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 25.0% versus 16.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 38 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 17 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 14 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 14 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 2 | Wipers | 15 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 12 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 9 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 8 |
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 | 32.6% | 86 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.5% | 70 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 66 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 48 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 48 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 56 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 16.3% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 61 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 50 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 46 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 42 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Camry
On a 2003 Camry, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (6.4% 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.
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 Toyota Camrys pass their MOT?
79.5% of the 264 2003 Toyota Camry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Camry?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.4%).
Does the 2003 Camry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 60-90k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 264 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.