Used car guide

2003 Mazda B Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Mazda B Seriess, from 225 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 225 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

225MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,600typical miles a year
5.9×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Mazda B Seriess than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Chassis rust or damage5.9× usual
    Mazda B Series
    23.6% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Mazda B Series
    14.2% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Mazda B Series
    14.2% All 2003 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    45% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    33% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    19% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Mazda B Series?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006119Lights and electrics 44%
2005307Lights and electrics 42%
2004144Brakes 41%
2002204Brakes 42%
2001105Brakes 47%
2000144Lights and electrics 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Mazda B Seriess registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score