| Hi Urga,
No, I didn't have this problem with my Multi. which was also a 2003 model. I sold it at the end of 2005. I do know, however that there has been a high incidence of peeling crankcases.
When my ST3 was being serviced at Italia Moto at Lincoln, one of the lads was fitting new crankcases to a 2003 model because of peeling paintwork.
If I were you I would email Ducati UK and get them to sort this out for you. This shouldn't happen on a 8000 mile 2003 bike. | 
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