2003 Ford Fusion 1.6L Petrol · EO03 VAM
2003 Ford Fusion (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 99,475 miles. MOT valid until 16 Nov 2026. Taxed until 01 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- FORD FUSION
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 16 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Aug 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 99,475 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
EO03 VAM Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 03/11/2025
- 99,475 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (17 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
EO03 VAM MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Ford Fusion (EO03 VAM) between November 2022 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 03 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (17 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Windscreen (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 32 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))”; “Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))”.
EO03 VAM Mileage History
- 14/11/202296,657 mi
- 07/11/202397,859 mi+1,202 mi
- 14/11/202499,049 mi+1,190 mi
- 22/10/202599,467 mi+418 mi
- 03/11/202599,475 mi+8 mi
Average of roughly 949 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution before consider
If you proceed, you must prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside. The MOT history shows that brake pipe corrosion has been a recurring issue for at least four consecutive years, and the rear sub-frame has been noted as corroded since at least 2022. You should negotiate the price downwards to account for the likely necessity of brake line replacements and potential structural repairs.
Ask the seller for evidence of how the recent emissions failure and blue smoke issue from October 2025 were addressed. Blue smoke often points to oil consumption issues, which can be expensive to rectify. Ensure any work on the corrosion has been carried out to a standard that prevents immediate recurrence, rather than just being 'covered in grease' as noted in several MOT entries.
As a 1.6L petrol model, running costs will be typical for a small hatchback of this era. Expect moderate fuel economy, though the recent emissions failure may indicate the engine is currently operating inefficiently, which would increase fuel consumption.
Insurance groups for a 2003 Fusion are generally low, making it affordable for newer drivers. However, you should budget for higher-than-average maintenance costs due to the documented history of corrosion and the recent mechanical issues regarding emissions and smoke.
A professional inspection of the braking system is essential. The MOT history explicitly mentions corrosion on both nearside and offside front and rear brake pipes across multiple years. Check if these have actually been replaced or merely cleaned/coated.
Closely examine the rear sub-frame and suspension mounting areas. The records show repeated advisories for corrosion in these structural areas. Additionally, check the engine's performance during a test drive to see if the 'excessive dense blue smoke' noted in the October 2025 failure persists, as this is a strong indicator of internal engine problems.
This 2003 Ford Fusion has covered approximately 99,475 miles since its first registration in March 2003. While the mileage is relatively consistent with its age, the MOT record shows a pattern of persistent corrosion on brake pipes and the rear sub-frame. Most concerning is a recent failure in October 2025 involving excessive blue smoke and emissions issues, suggesting potential engine wear.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Ford Fusion model.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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