CarVerify

Free Car Check

FN53 GOA

2003 Saab 9-3

Black Petrol 1998cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Mar 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

107,503 mi
Last recorded107,503 miles
Recorded on24 Mar 2025
Typical for 2003 Saab 9-385,740 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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

RegistrationFN53 GOA
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

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 24 Mar 2025 107,503 miles

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both n/s and o/s (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive including coil springs and suspension parts front to rear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2023 107,494 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (including coil springs, shock absorber external body) (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 20 Dec 2023 107,468 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (1 off 5) (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))

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

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure (BOX rubber mount missing) (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (including coil springs, shock absorber external body) (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 11 Oct 2023 107,248 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 27 Oct 2022 101,373 miles

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

Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 26 Oct 2022 101,373 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2021 100,233 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2020 98,588 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth Worn edge (1.1.2 (c))

Front Both front shock absorber casings corroded

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

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 Lower Arm Front Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 28 Oct 2020 98,588 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Brake pedal wearing smooth Worn edge (1.1.2 (c))

Front Both front shock absorber casings corroded

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

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 Lower Arm Front Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Oct 2019 95,166 miles

Coolant leak Coolant staining offside, drive belt area

Exhaust hanger broken, but system still secure

Fluid leak, but not excessive Engine undersidee oily (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Fail 24 Oct 2019 95,166 miles

Coolant leak Coolant staining offside, drive belt area

Exhaust hanger broken, but system still secure

Fluid leak, but not excessive Engine undersidee oily (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2018 92,169 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2018 92,169 miles

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Oct 2017 89,502 miles

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Slight both sides

Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing Both (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Outer Trailing arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Outer Trailing arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2016 86,324 miles

Front tyres 3mm

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

Oil leak

Rear tyres starting to perish and crack

Pass 14 Oct 2015 82,448 miles

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

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

Oil Leak

Pass 10 Oct 2014 78,383 miles

Oil leak from timing cover end of engine

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

Fail 10 Oct 2014 78,382 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak from timing cover end of engine

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

Pass 27 Sep 2013 75,266 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)

Oil leak

Pass 16 Oct 2012 72,186 miles

Oil leak

gearbox earth tag snapped

power steering fluid leak

Pass 19 Oct 2011 68,572 miles

oil leak from nearside of engine.

Fail 19 Oct 2011 68,572 miles

Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

oil leak from nearside of engine.

Pass 20 Oct 2010 64,190 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2010 64,190 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

front tyres are starting to wear

Pass 22 Sep 2009 59,946 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2008 55,309 miles

Nearside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

both rear tyres worn un-even on inner edge

Pass 4 Oct 2007 48,818 miles

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

Pass 5 Oct 2006 31,556 miles

Nearside Front 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

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

FN53 GOA is a 2003 Saab 9-3 in Black with a 1,998cc 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 FN53 GOA, 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 FN53 GOA?

You can check the full history of FN53 GOA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FN53 GOA registered?

FN53 GOA is a 2003 Saab 9-3, first registered on 16 October 2003.

Is FN53 GOA safe to buy?

The MOT history for FN53 GOA 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 FN53 GOA 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 FN53 GOA. 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.