2003 Ford Fiesta petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  34.4% All 2003 cars

  18.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Brake lights2× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  11.2% All 2003 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  10% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Number plates1.5× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  11.6% All 2003 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Wheels3.5× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  5.3% All 2003 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  48% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  41% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  34% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Power steering belt recall

  All engines

  The power steering drive belt could break up and snap, so the steering suddenly goes heavy. There was a recall to fit a new belt.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done, and look at the belt for cracks.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Rear axle recall

  Some cars

  Some cars were recalled because a weld on the rear axle wasn’t up to standard. The axle was replaced free.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the rear axle recall was done.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Sticky change into third gear

  Manual gearbox

  Worn synchro rings make the change into third and fourth feel sticky. It’s a gearbox-out job for a specialist.

  At the viewing: Change up and down through third and fourth several times and feel for stiffness or crunching.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Air con that stops working

  Cars with air con

  The air con can stop working, or the compressor runs all the time, usually because of a faulty pressure switch.

  At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows cold and switches off properly.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Grinding from the front

  All engines

  A worn driveshaft centre bearing makes a grinding noise from under the front.

  At the viewing: Listen for grinding when turning and at speed.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?