Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Peugeot Boxer?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Peugeot Boxer?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Peugeot Boxer?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Peugeot Boxer vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Peugeot Boxer reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,528 vehicles, the 2003 Peugeot Boxer has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Peugeot Boxer?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Peugeot Boxer are: Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (41.6% of vehicles), Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (40.8% of vehicles), Oil leak (37.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Peugeot Boxer?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Peugeot Boxer (2003)

4,528 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.4% first-time pass rate

2003 Peugeot Boxer

CarHunch analysed 4,528 real MOT records for the 2003 Peugeot Boxer. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2003 Peugeot Boxer has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.4%, which sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, and a significant 35.7% of vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a real concern for any prospective buyer. With nearly 5 failures per vehicle on average, these vans are clearly demanding more remedial work than typical cars.

The median mileage of 58,287 miles for a 21-year-old van suggests many examples have been used intensively or haven't survived, yet those remaining average nearly 67,000 miles—indicating the survivors tend to be the harder-worked ones. With 18.7 advisories per test, wear items like brakes, suspension, and bodywork are consistently problematic; budget for serious pre-purchase inspection and expect ongoing maintenance costs if you're considering one.

The 2003 Peugeot Boxer has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.4% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72.4%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

35.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

5.13

Over 18.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

58k

Middle half: 35k–92k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,528 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,528 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 41.6%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 37.6%

Oil leak · Horn not working

Tyre wear 35.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 31%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Service brake: efficiency below requirements · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Wipers & washers 23.6%

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,528 Peugeot Boxer cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Peugeot Boxer

Based on MOT data from 4,528 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	4,514	72.4%	5.13

Colour Breakdown

Based on 144,724 Peugeot Boxer vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 75%

108,571

Silver 10.3%

14,899

Blue 4.8%

7,001

Grey 4%

5,859

Red 2.3%

3,348

Black 1.4%

2,076

Gold 0.7%

1,003

Yellow 0.6%

914

Green 0.4%

574

Brown 0.2%

230

Orange 0.1%

166

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Peugeot Boxer vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

58,287

typical

34,873

low mileage

92,235

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Peugeot Boxer vehicles fall between 34,873 and 92,235 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,873 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 34,873–92,235 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Peugeot Boxers sit.

⚠ Over 124,517 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Peugeot Boxer — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 54% of 2003 Peugeot Boxers are still active.

1,859 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 54% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

18.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

5.13

Avg failures per vehicle

18.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Peugeot Boxer: All Boxer years → Which year to buy? →

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See how the 2003 Peugeot Boxer stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on