CarVerify

Free Car Check

SM53 VCP

2003 Audi A3

Silver Petrol 1595cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires30 Jul 2025
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

87,598 mi
Last recorded87,598 miles
Recorded on25 Sep 2025
Typical for 2003 Audi A392,659 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Audi
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

RegistrationSM53 VCP
MakeAudi
ModelA3
Year2003
ColourSilver
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

18 pass 9 fail
Fail 25 Sep 2025 87,598 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel handbrake (1.1.2 (a))

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing perished on outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Under trays fitted covering testable items

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Aug 2025 87,573 miles

Emissions unable to be completed Due to blue smoke (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre Nail very close to sidewall ()

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

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 26 Jul 2024 83,471 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported across rear subframe (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm and cracked (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

windscreen chipped

Fail 26 Jul 2024 83,471 miles

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

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported across rear subframe (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm and cracked (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

windscreen chipped

Pass 31 Jul 2023 79,768 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

gear selector stiff in operation

power assisted steering stiff in operation

undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 31 Jul 2023 79,768 miles

Nearside Front Drive shaft securing bolt loose all loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Front Drive shaft securing bolt loose all that are still there are loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Front Drive shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

gear selector stiff in operation

power assisted steering stiff in operation

undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 30 Sep 2021 73,227 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2020 66,848 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2019 65,558 miles

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

Fail 25 Sep 2019 65,558 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2018 63,368 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2017 61,320 miles

Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured both (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 23 Sep 2016 59,403 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2015 58,144 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2015

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Oct 2014 55,026 miles

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

Pass 24 Sep 2013 50,596 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2012 42,079 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2011 44,082 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2010 40,668 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2010 40,666 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 24 Oct 2009 36,328 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Oct 2009 36,328 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 17 Oct 2008 30,133 miles

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

both wipers starting to smear screen

o/s drive shaft heat shield insecure

Pass 26 Oct 2007 24,859 miles

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

Fail 26 Oct 2007 24,859 miles

Offside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

Pass 25 Oct 2006 18,310 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

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

SM53 VCP is a 2003 Audi A3 in Silver with a 1,595cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 SM53 VCP, 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 SM53 VCP?

You can check the full history of SM53 VCP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SM53 VCP registered?

SM53 VCP is a 2003 Audi A3, first registered on 27 October 2003.

Is SM53 VCP safe to buy?

The MOT history for SM53 VCP shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SM53 VCP 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 SM53 VCP. 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.