Fiat Ulysse (2003)
2003 Fiat Ulysse
CarHunch analysed 1,499 real MOT records for the 2003 Fiat Ulysse. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Fiat Ulysse struggles significantly against the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 67.9% compared to 80%—a real reliability concern. More alarming, one in three of these vehicles (33.4%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable for a family MPV and should give any buyer pause.
These Ulysses average over 84,000 miles and accumulate an average of 4.45 failures per test cycle, suggesting ageing mechanical and structural problems are common. Before committing to purchase, have an independent inspection focused on suspension, steering, and brake components—the typical culprits in this cohort—and factor in repair costs as part of your budget.
What to check before buying a 2003 Fiat Ulysse
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 33.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Fiat Ulysse
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (74%) | 1,107 | 68.2% | 4.22 |
| Petrol (26%) | 387 | 67% | 5.1 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 70.3% | 4.2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Fiat Ulysse vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Fiat Ulysse vehicles fall between 65,154 and 107,767 miles.
2003 Fiat Ulysse — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 46 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Fiat Ulysse
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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69.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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65.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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63.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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57.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.2%
Oil leak
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44.9%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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37.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Fiat Ulysse?
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