Ford Fiesta Zetec (2003)
2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec
CarHunch analysed 810 real MOT records for the 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →
This 2003 Fiesta Zetec is significantly less reliable than the UK average: just 44.8% pass first time versus 80% across all vehicles, which is a major red flag for a buyer. The petrol variants show a 0% pass rate on their MOT attempts, suggesting serious and widespread mechanical issues in that fuel type, though the "Other" fuel category (likely LPG conversions) performs much better at 75.4%.
At 105,939 miles median mileage, these cars have fairly typical wear for their age, yet they're still failing at more than double the national rate—this points to inherent reliability problems rather than just high mileage. With 0.61 average failures per vehicle and zero dangerous defects recorded, the issues are mainly mechanical rather than safety-critical, but you should expect repair bills; have any petrol Fiesta of this generation independently inspected before purchase.
The 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (75.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 810 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 810 Ford Fiesta Zetec cars.
Before you buy a 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec
Based on MOT data from 810 vehicles — here's what to check.
-
📋
Check the full MOT history.
0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
🔍
Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
→
-
📄
Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
Get 20% off via CarHunch
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (58%) | 468 | 75.4% | 1.02 |
| Petrol (40%) | 322 | — | 0 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 20,026 Ford Fiesta Zetec vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec vehicles fall between 86,347 and 125,103 miles.
2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetecs are still active.
Numbers are declining — 37 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
Or browse all models: Ford →
Compare with another model
See how the 2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec stacks up against a rival.