CarVerify

Free Car Check

FL53 VLM

2003 Skoda Octavia

Blue Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Oct 2026
Tests26 (20 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

147,353 mi
Last recorded147,353 miles
Recorded on21 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 Skoda Octavia102,585 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Skoda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationFL53 VLM
MakeSkoda
ModelOctavia
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

20 pass 6 fail
Pass 21 Oct 2025 147,353 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 14 Oct 2025 147,347 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 16 Jul 2024 135,841 miles

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

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

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

Pass 26 Jul 2023 130,441 miles

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

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Fail 26 Jul 2023 130,441 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Pass 15 Aug 2022 126,327 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2021 122,126 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2021 122,126 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 30 Jul 2020 118,387 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2020 118,387 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 7 Aug 2019 111,313 miles

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

Pass 16 Aug 2018 102,220 miles

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

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Fail 13 Aug 2018 102,216 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Exhaust on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour (8.2.2.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Pass 18 Sep 2017 87,933 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Rear Bump stop broken.

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Pass 7 Sep 2016 76,969 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 14 Sep 2015 75,701 miles

Nearside Rear 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 19 Sep 2014 70,773 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2013 62,748 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2012 56,602 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2011 53,201 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2010 49,769 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

centre exhaust mounting deteriorated

Pass 16 Sep 2009 46,073 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2008 41,795 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 6 Sep 2007 35,921 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)

Fail 14 Sep 2006 30,024 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Pass 14 Sep 2006 30,024 miles

How Reliable is the Skoda Octavia?

Based on 3,816,734 MOT tests across 338,116 vehicles.

77.7%
Pass Rate
8,620
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
338,116
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 81,688
Registration plate lamp not working 38,058
position lamp(s) not working 31,953
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 31,729
Direction indicator incorrect colour 28,575
Full Skoda Octavia reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

FL53 VLM is a 2003 Skoda Octavia in Blue with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

Across all 2003 Skoda Octavia models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 102,585 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Skoda Octavia fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 81,688 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FL53 VLM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FL53 VLM?

You can check the full history of FL53 VLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FL53 VLM registered?

FL53 VLM is a 2003 Skoda Octavia, first registered on 29 September 2003.

Is FL53 VLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for FL53 VLM shows 26 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FL53 VLM 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 FL53 VLM. 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.