2003 Toyota Dyna — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Toyota Dyna passed 70.4% of its 307 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Dyna comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.5% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, position lamp and prescribed areas — service brake performance alone was recorded 37 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Dyna fails 27.3% of the time in the 60-90k band and 29.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 66 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.6% | 54 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.0% | 40 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.4% | 32 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 32 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.5% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 37 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 34 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 32 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 27 |
| 5 | Wipers | 25 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
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 | 41.4% | 127 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.3% | 87 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.7% | 85 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.0% | 83 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 67 |
| 6 | Steering | 16.3% | 50 |
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 | 55 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 96 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 59 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 72 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 72 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 68 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 56 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 43 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Dyna
On a 2003 Dyna, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.6% 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 (13.0% 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 Dynas pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 307 2003 Toyota Dyna MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Dyna?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by brakes (17.6%).
Does the 2003 Dyna get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 60-90k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 307 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.