Ford Mondeo (2003)
2003 Ford Mondeo
CarHunch analysed 59,358 real MOT records for the 2003 Ford Mondeo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Ford Mondeo passes its MOT first time in just 71.9% of cases, significantly below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 36.3% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a red flag for prospective buyers. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 73.3% pass rate versus 70.6% for diesels, but both figures signal reliability challenges.
These Mondeos are now 20+ years old and show median mileage of 100,484, which is reasonable for age, yet average 4.15 failures and 18.7 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear across suspension, braking, and emissions systems. If you're considering one, budget for repairs and have a full pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic who can verify brake condition and exhaust integrity—the high dangerous defect rate makes this non-negotiable.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 Ford Mondeo
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.
- ⚠️ 36.3% 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 Mondeo
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 (53%) | 31,587 | 70.6% | 4.19 |
| Petrol (47%) | 27,722 | 73.3% | 4.12 |
| LPG (0%) | 37 | 72% | 3.68 |
| Other (0%) | 8 | 80.1% | 0.75 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 84.2% | 3 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 75.5% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ford Mondeo 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 Mondeo vehicles fall between 80,010 and 123,420 miles.
2003 Ford Mondeo — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,119 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Ford Mondeo
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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82.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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76.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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31.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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28.9%
Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Mondeo?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.