2003 Ford Tipper MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Tipper models manufactured in 2003, based on 57 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Ford Tipper MOT Analysis
The 2003 Ford Tipper has an MOT pass rate of 38.6% based on 57 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 146,971 miles on the odometer. With a 61.4% failure rate, the 2003 Tipper is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Ford Tipper is Noise, emissions and leaks, responsible for 10.5% of failures. 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 range from £100–1,000+. Tyres is the second most common issue at 10.5%. Visibility follows at 10.5%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall Tipper 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 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 10.5% | 6 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.5% | 6 |
| 3 | Visibility | 10.5% | 6 |
| 4 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 7.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 7.0% | 4 |
| 7 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.5% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 146,971 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.72 | 10.5% | 6 |
| Tyres | 0.72 | 10.5% | 6 |
| Visibility | 0.72 | 10.5% | 6 |
| Body & Structure | 0.48 | 7.0% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.48 | 7.0% | 4 |
| Suspension | 0.48 | 7.0% | 4 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.24 | 3.5% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Ford Tipper has an MOT pass rate of 38.6% based on 57 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 146,971 miles on the odometer. With a 61.4% failure rate, the 2003 Tipper is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Ford Tipper, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to noise, emissions and leaks: 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. With an average mileage of 146,971 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 10.5% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Tipper 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.
Tyres — 10.5% of failures
Tyres issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Tipper models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Visibility — 10.5% of failures
Visibility issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Ford Tipper models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.