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AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 55 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2700cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel2700cc23 years old55 tests49k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2700cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2700cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the AUTO-TRAIL brand average of 77%.

At 23 years old, 69% of AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOMEs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 55 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 49,043 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars326th of 445(top 73%)
Rank among AUTO-TRAIL models26th of 29(top 90%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-3%(72% avg)
vs AUTO-TRAIL average-8%(77% avg)

Mileage Analysis

49,043

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME has 49,043 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 80% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 69%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200693%4240,451 mi
200580%7051,098 mi
200475%8051,443 mi
200369%5549,043 mi
200282%3943,289 mi

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About the 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME

The 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME is a large car with a 2700cc diesel engine. 55 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 49,043 miles at 23 years old, AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME Fuel Costs

The 2700cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME Reliability Trend

Newer AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOMEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME

At 23 years old, the AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 55 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
AUTO-TRAIL MOTORHOME(2003)69%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2395
BMW 3 SERIES(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345
HONDA CIVIC(2005)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Auto-trail Models

Explore other Auto-trail cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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