2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate and common faults

2,196 MOT tests in 2024. 55.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time55.6%
Failed or needed repairs44.4%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,196 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.9%
  2. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.2%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.5%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes36.5%
  2. Suspension25.9%
  3. Lights & electrics23.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks15.5%
  5. Body & chassis8.7%
  6. Tyres8.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  8. Steering2.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded26.8%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine23.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Ford Mondeo?

In 2024, 55.6% of 2003 Ford Mondeo cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,196 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Ford Mondeo?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; parking brake performance: inoperative on one side; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Ford Mondeo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).