How much does a 2003 FORD EXPLORER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 FORD EXPLORER?

The 2003 FORD EXPLORER has a 88% MOT pass rate based on 49 tests in 2026. This ranks 38 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year FORD EXPLORER is most reliable?

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 66%.

FORD EXPLORER (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 FORD EXPLORER reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 49 tests. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 FORD EXPLORER?

The average mileage for a 2003 FORD EXPLORER is 93,976 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 49 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

3000cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2427/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol3000cc23 years old49 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3000cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3000cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 88% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 49 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,976 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars38th of 445(top 9%)

Rank among FORD models563th of 1,167(top 48%)

vs national average+6%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+16%(72% avg)

vs FORD average+3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,976

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 FORD EXPLORER has 93,976 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2003 sits between the two at 88%.

FORD EXPLORER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	88%	32	89,490 mi
2014	89%	44	97,646 mi
2013	89%	61	84,193 mi
2012	100%	38	84,961 mi
2005	89%	92	72,400 mi
2004	78%	69	77,520 mi
2003	88%	49	93,976 mi
2002	73%	33	83,397 mi
2000	73%	158	91,142 mi
1999	81%	203	114,067 mi
1998	66%	197	109,272 mi
1997	76%	98	104,130 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2001 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-11%

MERCEDES E

2004 · 3199cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-10%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

2005 · 3197cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

-2%

VOLVO XC90

2005 · 2922cc Petrol

£2,397/year

73%

-15%

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About the 2003 FORD EXPLORER

The 2003 FORD EXPLORER is a large car with a 3000cc petrol engine. 49 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 9% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 93,976 miles at 23 years old, FORD EXPLORER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 FORD EXPLORER Fuel Costs

The 3000cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 FORD EXPLORER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD EXPLORER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD EXPLORERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 FORD EXPLORER

At 23 years old, the FORD EXPLORER 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 49 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 FORD EXPLORER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 FORD EXPLORER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD EXPLORER(2003)	88%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2427
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£30
MERCEDES E(2004)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£30
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2005)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£180
VOLVO XC90(2005)	73%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£30

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.