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FA52 CBU

2003 Audi A3

Blue Diesel 1896cc

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MOT Status

Valid

Expires22 Jan 2027

Tests36 (21 pass, 15 fail)

Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

199,904 mi

Last recorded199,904 miles

Recorded on23 Jan 2026

Typical for 2003 Audi A392,659 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFA52 CBU

MakeAudi

ModelA3

Year2003

ColourBlue

Fuel typeDiesel

Engine1,896cc

View full Audi A3 reliability data Browse other 2003 Audi A3 registrations

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

21 pass 15 fail

Pass 23 Jan 2026 199,904 miles

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

Front Service brake binding but not excessively both sides binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear tyre miss shaped

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

Fail 19 Jan 2026 199,904 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low dip beam both sides (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage attachment bracket/mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Service brake binding but not excessively both sides binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear tyre miss shaped

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

Pass 13 Jan 2025 197,644 miles

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 13 Jan 2025 197,644 miles

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bushes worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Service brake excessively binding n/s more (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low dip beam (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 15 Jan 2024 195,835 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Jan 2024 195,815 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low dip beam (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded + n/s front to rear at rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jan 2023 193,760 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 9 Jan 2023 193,759 miles

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

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

Nearside Front 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 Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 10 Jan 2022 191,198 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Fail 7 Jan 2022 191,185 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

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

Offside Rear Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Pass 8 Jan 2021 188,069 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective held in place with wire (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 8 Jan 2021 188,069 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive axle (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective held in place with wire (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 7 Jan 2020 184,727 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Jan 2019 179,858 miles

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

exhaust back box wired up but still secure

Pass 5 Jan 2018 177,083 miles

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

Nearside Rear spring corroded

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

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

Offside Rear spring corroded

exhaust held up with wire

Fail 5 Jan 2018 177,083 miles

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

Nearside Rear spring corroded

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

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear spring corroded

exhaust held up with wire

Pass 17 Jan 2017 174,221 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 17 Jan 2017 174,221 miles

Nearside Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt bottom ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 12 Jan 2016 170,120 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.0mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Rear exhaust wired up but secure

Fail 12 Jan 2016 170,120 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear exhaust wired up but secure

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.0mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2015 167,654 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

exhaust held up with wire

Pass 24 Jan 2014 165,374 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jan 2014 165,374 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

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

Fail 25 Jan 2013 163,770 miles

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

Rear discs corroded.

Pass 25 Jan 2013 163,770 miles

Rear discs corroded.

Pass 24 Jan 2012 160,808 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Fail 24 Jan 2012 160,807 miles

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Pass 29 Jan 2011 149,356 miles

Pass 3 Feb 2010 130,566 miles

both rear discs corrosion

Fail 3 Feb 2010 130,566 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

both rear discs corrosion

Pass 14 Jan 2009 110,349 miles

rear discs scored

Fail 14 Jan 2009 110,349 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

rear discs scored

Pass 23 Jan 2008 93,258 miles

Fail 19 Jan 2008 93,258 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

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

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)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2007 75,923 miles

Pass 11 Feb 2006 56,958 miles

How Reliable is the Audi A3?

Based on 7,415,025 MOT tests across 593,922 vehicles.

78.0%

Pass Rate

7,083

Miles/Year

Year Lifespan

593,922

On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 173,142

Stop lamp not working 65,421

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 58,420

Registration plate lamp not working 52,417

coil spring broken 45,761

Full Audi A3 reliability report

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FA52 CBU is a 2003 Audi A3 in Blue with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 2003 Audi A3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.6% with a typical mileage of 92,659 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 Audi A3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 173,142 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FA52 CBU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Audi A3 typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 23 years old, this Audi A3 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FA52 CBU?

You can check the full history of FA52 CBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FA52 CBU registered?

FA52 CBU is a 2003 Audi A3, first registered on 11 February 2003.

Is FA52 CBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for FA52 CBU shows 36 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FA52 CBU 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 FA52 CBU. 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.