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Mitsubishi Fto (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 66 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

62%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

62% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 20 points below average.

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Petrol2000cc23 years old66 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,711
Per month£226/mo
Per week£52/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

62% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mitsubishi brand average of 80%.

62% of MOT tests on Mitsubishi Ftos from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 66 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 104,337 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models413th of 429(bottom 4%)
Rank among Mitsubishi models374th of 390(bottom 5%)
vs average of all models-20%(82% avg)
vs 2003 models average-10%(72% avg)
vs Mitsubishi average-18%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,337

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mitsubishi Fto had 104,337 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Mitsubishi Fto by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200765%49122,203 mi
200665%57110,462 mi
200571%45120,432 mi
200467%66108,316 mi
200362%66104,337 mi
200262%45127,289 mi
200176%54119,943 mi
200071%176118,965 mi
199958%8496,915 mi
199878%46115,634 mi
199738%32101,476 mi
199570%53154,478 mi

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About the 2003 Mitsubishi Fto

The 2003 Mitsubishi Fto is a family car. Our records list a 2000cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 66 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 4% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 104,337 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mitsubishi Fto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Mitsubishi Fto Fuel Costs

The 2000cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 Mitsubishi Fto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 62% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 2003 Mitsubishi Fto

At 23 years old, the Mitsubishi Fto 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 66 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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

Watch out

With an average of 104k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 62% 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 Mitsubishi Fto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Mitsubishi Fto(2003)62%£1,631£325Grp 18-32£2,711
MINI(2005)71%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228-£483
Ford Focus(2005)71%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228-£483
Toyota Corolla(2005)76%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228-£483
Renault Clio(2005)67%£1,631£325Grp 18-32£2,711same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Fto

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Fto reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 62% of MOT tests on 2003 Mitsubishi Ftos ended in a pass, from 66 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mitsubishi Fto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mitsubishi Fto?

62% of 66 MOT tests on the 2003 Mitsubishi Fto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 413th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 4%).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Mitsubishi Fto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mitsubishi Fto is 104,337 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Related Mitsubishi Models

Explore other Mitsubishi cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mitsubishi Fto.

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