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AE53 VBU

2003 Skoda Fabia

Blue Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Jun 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

171,560 mi
Last recorded171,560 miles
Recorded on9 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 Skoda Fabia65,642 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Skoda
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAE53 VBU
MakeSkoda
ModelFabia
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 9 Jun 2026 171,560 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2025 167,751 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Fail 4 Jun 2025 167,749 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Pass 21 May 2024 164,213 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp missing in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Jun 2023 158,636 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside door mirror slight defective

Fail 7 Jun 2023 158,634 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested dip beam pattern defective (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested dip beam pattern defective (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm bald inner edge (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside door mirror slight defective

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Jun 2022 149,915 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged hose appears to have been clamped not leaking under pressure (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Fail 8 Jun 2022 149,913 miles

Central Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Electronic power steering warning lamp indicates a system malfunction (2.6 (a))

Power steering inoperative (2.1.5 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged hose appears to have been clamped not leaking under pressure (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jan 2021 142,532 miles

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Horn not working properly intermittent (7.7 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Jan 2021 142,528 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Horn not working properly intermittent (7.7 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2019 135,695 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread cracked (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement arm rear bush slight wear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edges wear (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge wear (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Upper exhaust back box outer skin peeling

Pass 13 Jul 2018 125,037 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake flexible hose, metal ferrules corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a negligible damping effect

Fail 13 Jul 2018 125,037 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake flexible hose, metal ferrules corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a negligible damping effect

Pass 13 Jul 2017 115,687 miles

Not all testable items could be inspected due to the underbody trays fitted

Offside Rear Tyre in very poor condition, sidewall perished and cracked

Fail 13 Jul 2017 115,687 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Not all testable items could be inspected due to the underbody trays fitted

Offside Rear Tyre in very poor condition, sidewall perished and cracked

Pass 23 Aug 2016 106,663 miles

under covers fitted

exhaust getting rusted

Pass 24 Jul 2015 95,242 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 16 Jul 2015 93,256 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 17 Jul 2014 84,858 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 12 Jul 2013 77,169 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

rear exhaust getting rusted

Pass 24 Jul 2012 72,809 miles
Fail 23 Jul 2012 72,795 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Jan 2011 55,555 miles
Pass 21 Jan 2010 46,480 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 22 Jan 2009 33,658 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2008 26,744 miles

How Reliable is the Skoda Fabia?

Based on 4,863,673 MOT tests across 365,048 vehicles.

76.0%
Pass Rate
5,664
Miles/Year
26
Year Lifespan
365,048
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 104,456
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 68,301
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 61,646
Stop lamp not working 51,458
position lamp(s) not working 39,215
Full Skoda Fabia reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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AE53 VBU is a 2003 Skoda Fabia in Blue with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2003 Skoda Fabia models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 65,642 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Skoda Fabia fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 104,456 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AE53 VBU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Skoda Fabia typically stays on UK roads for around 26 years. At 23 years old, this Skoda Fabia is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AE53 VBU?

You can check the full history of AE53 VBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE53 VBU registered?

AE53 VBU is a 2003 Skoda Fabia, first registered on 14 November 2003.

Is AE53 VBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE53 VBU shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AE53 VBU have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on AE53 VBU. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.