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ME53 ALX

2003 Audi S3

Blue Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jul 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

160,747 mi
Last recorded160,747 miles
Recorded on15 Jul 2025
Typical for 2003 Audi S389,796 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationME53 ALX
MakeAudi
ModelS3
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

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 10 fail
Pass 15 Jul 2025 160,747 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jun 2025 160,745 miles

Nearside Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade missing (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front passenger door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed (6.2.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 15 Feb 2024 154,493 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 10 Feb 2024 154,488 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2022 150,449 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2022 150,446 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))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 25 Oct 2021 142,175 miles

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

Fail 18 Oct 2021 142,173 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))

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2020 135,229 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 9 Oct 2020 135,228 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2019 128,319 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2018 121,101 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2017 119,228 miles
Pass 26 May 2016 118,262 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2015 113,830 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2015 113,825 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 9 Jun 2014 109,925 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2013 102,400 miles
Pass 3 May 2012 97,079 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2012 96,952 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

engine management light on

Pass 12 Apr 2011 92,078 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2011 92,078 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

both front wishbone rear bushes starting to split

eml light illuminated

slight play in o/s/r wheel bearing

Pass 5 May 2010 83,950 miles
Fail 4 May 2010 83,949 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Pass 2 Apr 2009 73,241 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2008 63,244 miles
Fail 15 Mar 2008 63,141 miles

Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 21 Feb 2007 51,922 miles

How Reliable is the Audi S3?

Based on 81,317 MOT tests across 5,994 vehicles.

78.6%
Pass Rate
5,967
Miles/Year
27
Year Lifespan
5,994
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,395
Headlamp aim too low 990
coil spring broken 786
position lamp(s) not working 714
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 661
Full Audi S3 reliability report

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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.

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ME53 ALX is a 2003 Audi S3 in Blue with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 2003 Audi S3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 89,796 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 S3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 2,395 recorded failures. If you're considering buying ME53 ALX, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Audi S3 typically stays on UK roads for around 27 years. At 23 years old, this Audi S3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of ME53 ALX?

You can check the full history of ME53 ALX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ME53 ALX registered?

ME53 ALX is a 2003 Audi S3, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is ME53 ALX safe to buy?

The MOT history for ME53 ALX shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ME53 ALX 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 ME53 ALX. 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.