Ford Fusion (2003)
2003 Ford Fusion
CarHunch analysed 19,880 real MOT records for the 2003 Ford Fusion. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Ford Fusion is below the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of 75.2% against the national 80%, and a concerning 30% of vehicles have recorded dangerous defects—significantly higher than typical used cars. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (75.4% and 74.4% respectively), so fuel choice won't meaningfully improve your odds.
At an average mileage of 67,000 miles for a 21-year-old car, these Fusions have run relatively hard, yet they're still generating nearly 5 failures per test and 22 advisories—suggesting wear and deterioration across multiple systems rather than one critical weakness. Before viewing one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on safety items (brakes, suspension, steering) since dangerous defects are prevalent; also budget for remedial work, as most examples will need repairs to pass.
What to check before buying a 2003 Ford Fusion
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.
- ⚠️ 30% 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 Ford Fusion
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (80%) | 15,878 | 75.4% | 4.75 |
| Diesel (20%) | 3,994 | 74.4% | 5.01 |
| LPG (0%) | 7 | 73.7% | 4.57 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ford Fusion 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 Ford Fusion vehicles fall between 48,102 and 76,755 miles.
2003 Ford Fusion — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,869 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Ford Fusion
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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85.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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75.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.8%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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41.1%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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36%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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35.9%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Fusion?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.