2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · SM03 MTE
2003 Ford Fiesta (1.4L, petrol). First registered 23 May 2003. Recorded mileage 94,217 miles. MOT expired on 07 Nov 2022.
- Make & Model
- FORD FIESTA
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Edinburgh
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 07 Nov 2022
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 94,217 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
This vehicle has not had an MOT in the past 5 years. Mechanical analysis was skipped.
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.
SM03 MTE Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/11/2021
- 94,217 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
SM03 MTE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Ford Fiesta (SM03 MTE) between November 2021 and November 2021.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 08 November 2021 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 (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is 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: “Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn BOTHRONT (1.1.14 (a) (i))”; “Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn both front (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Rear Exhaust system insecure Exhaust bracket broken (6.1.2 (a))”.
SM03 MTE Mileage History
- 02/11/202194,127 mi
- 08/11/202194,217 mi+90 mi
Average of roughly 5,362 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Ford Ford Fiesta Mk6 (BE256)
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
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.
Vehicle & Plate History
Other vehicles on this plate
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (SM03 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as SM03MTE.
NISSAN
JUKE
VAUXHALL
GRANDLAND
TOYOTA
YARIS EXCEL HEV CVT
VOLVO
V50
FORD
KUGA
MERCEDES-BENZ
C
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
COMBO
VOLVO
S60
VOLVO
S60
FORD
FOCUS
MERCEDES-BENZ
A 200 SPORT EXECUTIVE ED D A
FORD FIESTA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Leaking Injector Seals (1.4 TDCI)Moderate
The copper base washers on the Delphi common-rail injectors degrade under heat and cylinder combustion pressure, allowing high-pressure exhaust gases and unburnt diesel to blow past. This creates a hard, black carbon residue known as 'black death' around the injector wells in the cylinder head, accompanied by a rhythmic chuffing noise and pungent diesel exhaust fumes in the cabin. If neglected, the carbon glues the injectors solidly into the head, requiring specialist hydraulic extraction pullers or cylinder head removal.
- EAC Fail (Electronic Accelerator Control)Moderate
The electronic drive-by-wire accelerator system triggers an 'EAC Fail' warning message on the instrument cluster LCD, immediately sending the engine into limp-home mode with revs restricted to around 2,000 rpm. The primary cause is terminal fretting or moisture corrosion on the pins of the multi-pin connector at the throttle body or intermediate engine wiring harness, though worn internal throttle potentiometer tracks or accelerator pedal position sensors can also trigger the fault code (P0121/P0221).
- Front Suspension Coil Spring FractureSerious
The front coil springs on the Mk6 Fiesta are notorious for snapping prematurely, often across the lowest coil winding. Road grit, moisture, and road salt collect in the lower spring cup, corroding the protective coating until the spring fractures under pothole or speed cushion impacts. A snapped spring can drop onto the front tyre, gouging the inner sidewall or causing an immediate blowout, making it a critical safety concern and an immediate MOT failure.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.