Ford Unknown (2003)
2003 Ford Unknown
CarHunch analysed 362 real MOT records for the 2003 Ford Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
These 2003 Fords are in serious trouble: only 5.4% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, making this one of the least reliable cohorts on the road. Both petrol (3.7% pass rate) and diesel (4.5%) variants perform poorly, and while dangerous defects are rare at 1.7%, the sheer scale of failure means something systemic is wrong with these cars.
At nearly 128,000 miles on average, these vehicles are well-used and showing their age—the median CarHunch score of 50 confirms they're genuinely tired. The low failure count (0.1 per vehicle) masks the real picture: these cars aren't failing dramatically, they're just accumulating enough advisories (0.4 per vehicle) that they cannot pass. Do not buy one of these unless you're buying it as a project car and budget heavily for immediate remedial work.
What to check before buying a 2003 Ford Unknown
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.
- 📄 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 Unknown
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 (64%) | 233 | 3.7% | 0.04 |
| Diesel (33%) | 120 | 4.5% | 0.14 |
| Diesel (2%) | 6 | 67.8% | 1.5 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 66.7% | 1 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Ford Unknown 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 Unknown vehicles fall between 65,808 and 182,455 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Ford Unknown
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
25.8%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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16.1%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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16.1%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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12.9%
Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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12.9%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
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12.9%
Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
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12.9%
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
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12.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Unknown?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.