2003 Nissan Altima MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Altima models manufactured in 2003, based on 38 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Nissan Altima MOT Analysis
The 2003 Nissan Altima has an MOT pass rate of 42.1% based on 38 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,324 miles on the odometer. With a 57.9% failure rate, the 2003 Altima is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Nissan Altima is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 15.8% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Suspension is the second most common issue at 10.5%. Steering follows at 7.9%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall Altima 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 15.8% | 6 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 4 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.9% | 3 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 5.3% | 2 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 5.3% | 2 |
| 8 | Registration Plates And Vin | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 103,324 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.53 | 15.8% | 6 |
| Suspension | 1.02 | 10.5% | 4 |
| Steering | 0.76 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Tyres | 0.76 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Brakes | 0.76 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.51 | 5.3% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.51 | 5.3% | 2 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.25 | 2.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Nissan Altima has an MOT pass rate of 42.1% based on 38 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,324 miles on the odometer. With a 57.9% failure rate, the 2003 Altima is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Nissan Altima, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 103,324 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 15.8% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 15.8% of MOT failures on 2003 Nissan Altima models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 10.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Nissan Altima 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.
Steering — 7.9% of failures
Steering issues account for 7.9% of MOT failures on 2003 Nissan Altima models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.