Nissan Cabstar (2003)
2003 Nissan Cabstar
CarHunch analysed 1,222 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan Cabstar. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2003 Nissan Cabstar is a significantly weaker performer than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 66.8% versus the national 80%—and a serious red flag emerges in the fact that 53.2% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point. For a van of this age and mileage, that dangerous defect rate is dangerously high and should give any buyer genuine pause.
At 76,910 miles on average, these Cabstars have run relatively hard for their age, yet they're still accumulating an alarming 6.14 failures per test and 38.2 advisories per vehicle, suggesting chronic reliability issues rather than one-off problems. Before purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus specifically on brakes, steering, and suspension—the common sources of dangerous defects in this cohort—and budget generously for ongoing repairs.
What to check before buying a 2003 Nissan Cabstar
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.
- ⚠️ 53.2% 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 Nissan Cabstar
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Nissan Cabstar 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 Nissan Cabstar vehicles fall between 56,395 and 94,288 miles.
2003 Nissan Cabstar — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 200 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% 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 Nissan Cabstar
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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224.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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107%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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97.5%
Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
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73.4%
Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush
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54.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50.5%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
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49.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Cabstar?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.