2003 Ford Cardinal MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Cardinal models manufactured in 2003, based on 58 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Ford Cardinal MOT Analysis
The 2003 Ford Cardinal has an MOT pass rate of 39.7% based on 58 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 54,947 miles on the odometer. With a 60.3% failure rate, the 2003 Cardinal is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Ford Cardinal is Suspension, responsible for 8.6% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 1.7%. Non-component advisories follows at 1.7%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall Cardinal page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.6% | 5 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.7% | 1 |
| 3 | Non-component Advisories | 1.7% | 1 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.7% | 1 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 54,947 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1.57 | 8.6% | 5 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.31 | 1.7% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.31 | 1.7% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.31 | 1.7% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.31 | 1.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Ford Cardinal has an MOT pass rate of 39.7% based on 58 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 54,947 miles on the odometer. With a 60.3% failure rate, the 2003 Cardinal is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Ford Cardinal, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 54,947 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 8.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 8.6% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Cardinal models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 1.7% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Cardinal models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Non-component advisories — 1.7% of failures
Non-component advisories issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Cardinal models. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.