Optare Solo M920 (2003)
2003 Optare Solo M920
CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 2003 Optare Solo M920. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2003 Optare Solo M920 is in deep trouble on the road: just 2.3% of tested vehicles pass their MOT first time, catastrophically below the 80% UK average, though the complete absence of dangerous defects (0%) at least suggests safety-critical failures aren't the problem. The real issue is sheer mechanical wear—with average mileage at 95,233 for a 21-year-old bus, these vehicles are worked hard and showing it, averaging near-zero failures per test only because most simply fail outright rather than scraping through with minor issues. At median mileage of 85,027, even the better examples have clocked serious miles, and the zero advisories recorded suggest testers aren't even bothering to note minor concerns on vehicles this compromised. If you're considering one, budget heavily for immediate remedial work and treat any first-time MOT pass as a minor miracle rather than a sign of health.
What to check before buying a 2003 Optare Solo M920
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 Optare Solo M920
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Optare Solo M920 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 Optare Solo M920 vehicles fall between 85,027 and 136,541 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Optare Solo M920?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Optare Solo M920: