Ford Transit Connect (2003)
2003 Ford Transit Connect
CarHunch analysed 19,510 real MOT records for the 2003 Ford Transit Connect. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Ford Transit Connect has a first-time MOT pass rate of 68.3%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which immediately signals higher maintenance demands for potential buyers. More concerning, 43% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—nearly double the typical rate—making safety inspections absolutely critical before purchase.
These vans have typically covered around 105,000 miles by test time, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up an average of 6 failures and 28 advisories per MOT, pointing to systemic wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, arrange a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, suspension, and steering components, since the dangerous defect rate suggests these areas are the real weak spots on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2003 Ford Transit Connect
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.
- ⚠️ 43% 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 Transit Connect
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 (99%) | 19,314 | 68.3% | 6.06 |
| Petrol (1%) | 171 | 69.9% | 5.83 |
| LPG (0%) | 23 | 70.6% | 5.3 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 60% | 6 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 75% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ford Transit Connect 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 Transit Connect vehicles fall between 82,946 and 128,333 miles.
2003 Ford Transit Connect — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,659 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% 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
Found a specific Ford Transit Connect?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.