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BL53 JMU

2003 Saab 9-3

Grey Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Feb 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

178,921 mi
Last recorded178,921 miles
Recorded on21 Jan 2025
Typical for 2003 Saab 9-385,740 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBL53 JMU
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year2003
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 21 Jan 2025 178,921 miles

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive wing/strut top (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

slight play in steering rack both sides

Pass 23 Jan 2024 168,588 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

rear tyres wearing on inner edge

slight play in steering rack both sides

Pass 9 Feb 2023 155,558 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both

Fail 8 Feb 2023 155,530 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 8 Feb 2022 145,000 miles

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge nearside and offside front (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 31 Jan 2022 144,990 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge nearside and offside front (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 7 Sep 2021 144,443 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose connection leaking on an air braking system (1.1.12 (c) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2020 134,753 miles

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear subframe corroded

Fail 9 Sep 2020 134,749 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure out of shape (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear subframe corroded

Pass 5 Sep 2019 124,446 miles

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing uneven inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing uneven inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 5 Sep 2019 124,446 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing uneven inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing uneven inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Sep 2018 113,696 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 5 Sep 2018 113,696 miles

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Front Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 1 Sep 2017 105,134 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 2 Sep 2016 98,907 miles

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 2 Sep 2015 91,216 miles

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 2 Sep 2015 91,209 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 29 Aug 2014 85,939 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

engine management light stays on

Fail 28 Aug 2014 85,926 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

engine management light stays on

Pass 28 Aug 2013 80,995 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 24 Aug 2012 74,918 miles

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

Pass 26 Aug 2011 67,647 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2010 58,907 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 25 Aug 2009 53,624 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2009 53,618 miles

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

Pass 29 Aug 2008 45,110 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 Aug 2007 29,826 miles
Pass 3 Jan 2007 27,299 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the Saab 9-3?

Based on 2,294,034 MOT tests across 155,316 vehicles.

73.6%
Pass Rate
6,682
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
155,316
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 75,543
coil spring broken 47,423
position lamp(s) not working 38,332
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35,584
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 34,513
Full Saab 9-3 reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

BL53 JMU is a 2003 Saab 9-3 in Grey with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 2003 Saab 9-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.0% with a typical mileage of 85,740 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 Saab 9-3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 75,543 recorded failures. If you're considering buying BL53 JMU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Saab 9-3 typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 23 years old, this Saab 9-3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BL53 JMU?

You can check the full history of BL53 JMU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BL53 JMU registered?

BL53 JMU is a 2003 Saab 9-3, first registered on 30 December 2003.

Is BL53 JMU safe to buy?

The MOT history for BL53 JMU shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BL53 JMU 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 BL53 JMU. 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.