CarCostCheck

MITSUBISHI FTO (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 66 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

62%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

62% pass rate, £2397/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

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
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

62% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 20 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MITSUBISHI brand average of 80%.

At 23 years old, 62% of MITSUBISHI FTOs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 66 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,337 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars428th of 445(top 96%)
Rank among MITSUBISHI models392th of 408(top 96%)
vs national average-20%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-10%(72% avg)
vs MITSUBISHI average-18%(80% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,337

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 MITSUBISHI FTO has 104,337 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 2001 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 58%. The 2003 sits between the two at 62%.

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 with a 2000cc petrol engine. 66 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 96% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 104,337 miles at 23 years old, 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 £1,327 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 MITSUBISHI FTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 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.

MITSUBISHI FTO Reliability Trend

The MITSUBISHI FTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

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. If you're flexible on year, the 2001 model has the highest pass rate at 76%. Note: with only 66 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 MITSUBISHI FTO'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

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MITSUBISHI FTO(2003)62%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)76%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
RENAULT CLIO(2005)67%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£180

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 Mitsubishi Models

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

Related Guides

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