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BL53 VRG

2003 Volvo S40

Red Petrol 1783cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Apr 2026
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

108,602 mi
Last recorded108,602 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 2025
Typical for 2003 Volvo S4076,229 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volvo
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBL53 VRG
MakeVolvo
ModelS40
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,783cc

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 13 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2025 108,602 miles

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge All four (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Jan 2024 103,620 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 28 Oct 2022 103,593 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 18 Jun 2021 94,545 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Jun 2021 94,545 miles

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2020 86,478 miles

Front to rear metal brake pipes are slightly corroded

Fail 13 Jul 2020 86,478 miles

Exhaust system insecure centre and rear rubber mountings (6.1.2 (a))

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 dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Exhaust system insecure box is cracked (6.1.2 (a))

Front to rear metal brake pipes are slightly corroded

Front wiper blades are slightly deteriorated

Nearside Rear side marker light is discoloured

Offside Rear Inner position light not working

Pass 12 Jul 2019 80,558 miles

Front Lower offside and nearside suspension arm ball joint dust covers are slightly deteriorated

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Front tyre is wearing on the inner edge

Rear tyres have surface cracks

Fail 9 Jul 2019 80,529 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect bulb fitted incorrectly/faulty bulb (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Front Lower offside and nearside suspension arm ball joint dust covers are slightly deteriorated

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Front tyre is wearing on the inner edge

Rear tyres have surface cracks

Pass 12 Jul 2018 75,862 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 12 Jul 2018 75,862 miles

Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced bulb inop (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 14 Jul 2017 73,923 miles

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

Fail 14 Jul 2017 73,923 miles

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

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

Offside Outer Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 15 Jul 2016 70,573 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2016 70,573 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Outer Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 20 Aug 2015 69,921 miles

Centre exhaust corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Aug 2015 69,920 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Centre exhaust corroded

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2014 66,744 miles

Center exhaust corroded

Front brake pads look 2/3rd to 3/4s worn

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Jul 2014 66,744 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Center exhaust corroded

Front brake pads look 2/3rd to 3/4s worn

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jul 2013 62,893 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 18 Jul 2012 59,320 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 18 Jul 2012 59,320 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 18 Jul 2011 56,435 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

front brake discs slightly corroded

front brake pads 2/3 worn

Fail 19 Jul 2010 53,146 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Offside Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 19 Jul 2010 53,146 miles

Offside Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

Pass 20 Jul 2009 47,829 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2008 41,428 miles
Pass 22 Jan 2008 39,534 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2008 39,534 miles

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

Pass 22 Jan 2007 28,067 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2007 28,067 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

How Reliable is the Volvo S40?

Based on 1,390,271 MOT tests across 104,646 vehicles.

69.9%
Pass Rate
6,355
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
104,646
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

position lamp(s) not working 60,127
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 53,645
Registration plate lamp not working 51,350
Brake pipe excessively corroded 36,593
Direction indicator incorrect colour 29,671
Full Volvo S40 reliability report

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BL53 VRG is a 2003 Volvo S40 in Red with a 1,783cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

Across all 2003 Volvo S40 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.9% with a typical mileage of 76,229 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 Volvo S40 fails its MOT is position lamp(s) not working, accounting for 60,127 recorded failures. If you're considering buying BL53 VRG, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volvo S40 typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 23 years old, this Volvo S40 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BL53 VRG?

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

What year was BL53 VRG registered?

BL53 VRG is a 2003 Volvo S40, first registered on 31 December 2003.

Is BL53 VRG safe to buy?

The MOT history for BL53 VRG shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BL53 VRG 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 VRG. 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.