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SL53 VJZ

2003 BMW M3

Black Petrol 3246cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Apr 2026
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

119,360 mi
Last recorded119,360 miles
Recorded on10 Apr 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW M371,708 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSL53 VJZ
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,246cc

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

16 pass 11 fail
Pass 10 Apr 2025 119,360 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All hoses (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Coil spring corroded All 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamp split on 1 pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Rear light level bar seized and bent / underside and components corroded

Fail 4 Apr 2025 119,358 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All hoses (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Coil spring corroded All 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamp split on 1 pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Rear light level bar seized and bent / underside and components corroded

Pass 8 Feb 2023 119,201 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2023 119,200 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

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

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

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

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

Rear Oil leaking excessively from transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 4 Feb 2022 117,398 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2022 117,398 miles

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear lower n/s to o/s brace slight corrosion (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 23 Aug 2019 115,319 miles

Central Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff pinion seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Fail 5 Apr 2019 115,294 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 13 Mar 2018 109,066 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 23 Feb 2017 103,966 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2017 103,966 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush hub bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber casing damaged externally so the unit does not function (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush hub bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 26 Oct 2015 98,020 miles

fuel cap sealing ring splitting

movement in rear lower suspension on bushes

nearside front brake warning lamp not fitted

offside rear suspension support strap corroding

puncture lamp on

rear tyre treads wearing

Fail 15 Oct 2015 98,020 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear x2 (3.6.B.2c)

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

Front Headlamp levelling device obviously defective (1.7.2)

Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed inside tread (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

fuel cap sealing ring splitting

movement in rear lower suspension on bushes

nearside front brake warning lamp not fitted

offside rear suspension support strap corroding

puncture lamp on

rear tyre treads wearing

Pass 4 Jul 2014 91,404 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Sep 2013 89,423 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2013 89,423 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Tyre pressure monitoring system warning lamp does not illuminate (4.1.D.4)

rear n/s and o/s brake discs are scored and have surface rust

Pass 16 Jun 2012 86,038 miles

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

slight imbalance on front brakes

Fail 1 Jun 2012 86,032 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

slight imbalance on front brakes

Fail 23 May 2011 82,144 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

air bag warning light on

tyre pressure warning light on

Pass 23 May 2011 82,144 miles

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

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

air bag warning light on

tyre pressure warning light on

Pass 9 May 2010 75,768 miles

Both front tyres wearing around both shoulders

Brake wear indicator warning light on

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

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

Nearside front brake wear indicator wire has been broken then reconnected

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

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

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

Tyre monitor warning light on

Fail 5 May 2010 75,705 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Both front tyres wearing around both shoulders

Brake wear indicator warning light on

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

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

Nearside front brake wear indicator wire has been broken then reconnected

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

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

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

Tyre monitor warning light on

Pass 11 Mar 2009 58,648 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2009 58,644 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 10 Jan 2008 41,660 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2006 20,240 miles
Fail 21 Nov 2006 20,240 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 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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SL53 VJZ is a 2003 BMW M3 in Black with a 3,246cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

Across all 2003 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 79.1% with a typical mileage of 71,708 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 BMW M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SL53 VJZ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 23 years old, this BMW M3 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SL53 VJZ?

You can check the full history of SL53 VJZ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SL53 VJZ registered?

SL53 VJZ is a 2003 BMW M3, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is SL53 VJZ safe to buy?

The MOT history for SL53 VJZ shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SL53 VJZ 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 SL53 VJZ. 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.