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SJ53 SMO

2003 Audi A3

Red Petrol 1595cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Jun 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

266,732 mi
Last recorded266,732 miles
Recorded on20 Jun 2025
Typical for 2003 Audi A392,659 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Audi
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSJ53 SMO
MakeAudi
ModelA3
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,595cc

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 11 fail
Pass 20 Jun 2025 266,732 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Jun 2024 264,058 miles

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all rear arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

accident damage to n/s/r

corrosion to o/s/f wing and o/s door

Fail 31 May 2024 263,427 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

accident damage to n/s/r

Pass 15 May 2023 250,261 miles

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

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

corrosion to drivers door

corrosion to o/s/f wing

Fail 21 Apr 2023 249,620 miles

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

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

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

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

corrosion to drivers door

Pass 25 Apr 2022 236,574 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

corrosion to o/s/f wing & door

Fail 25 Apr 2022 236,573 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.5.4 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

corrosion to o/s/f wing & door

Pass 14 Apr 2021 223,477 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Apr 2021 223,237 miles

Emissions not tested due to exhaust condition (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

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

Fail 19 Nov 2020 220,226 miles

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

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Nov 2019 208,086 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2018 194,985 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 Nov 2018 194,982 miles

Emissions not tested clouds of burning oil smoke flooding out of exhaust (8.2.1.2 (d))

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 projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

corrosion to vehicle in multiple places

Pass 31 Oct 2017 179,647 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 23 Oct 2017 179,283 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings outer sill corrosion 2 spots (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings outer sill corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 24 Oct 2016 162,802 miles

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

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

offside front anti roll bar link has slight play

slight blue smoke from exhaust

Fail 21 Oct 2016 162,801 miles

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

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

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

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

offside front anti roll bar link has slight play

slight blue smoke from exhaust

Pass 23 Oct 2015 147,098 miles

front suspension arms inner rear bushes slightly perished

rear engine stabilizer bushes perished

wipers not clearing screen very well

Fail 15 Oct 2015 147,093 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

front suspension arms inner rear bushes slightly perished

rear engine stabilizer bushes perished

wipers not clearing screen very well

Pass 15 Oct 2014 132,733 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

corrosion to front lower sills at front

Pass 3 Oct 2013 117,369 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

osr tyre starting to perish and split

slight bind on osr

Fail 27 Sep 2013 117,328 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

osr tyre starting to perish and split

slight bind on osr

Pass 20 Sep 2012 104,853 miles

Nail in n/s//r tyre...Oil warning light on..

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

Pass 23 Sep 2011 98,938 miles
Fail 23 Sep 2011 98,938 miles

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

Pass 29 Sep 2010 87,677 miles

steering and susp slight

Pass 31 Aug 2009 71,353 miles

steering and susp slight // b.pads

Pass 28 Aug 2008 57,976 miles

front tyre edges 1.6 & 2mm.centre treads 3mm.

Pass 31 Aug 2007 45,390 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2006 31,713 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
29
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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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

SJ53 SMO is a 2003 Audi A3 in Red with a 1,595cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 SJ53 SMO, 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 SJ53 SMO?

You can check the full history of SJ53 SMO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SJ53 SMO registered?

SJ53 SMO is a 2003 Audi A3, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is SJ53 SMO safe to buy?

The MOT history for SJ53 SMO shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SJ53 SMO 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 SJ53 SMO. 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.