CarVerify

Free Car Check

SW53 BUF

2003 Audi A3

Red Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires5 Feb 2021
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

170,196 mi
Last recorded170,196 miles
Recorded on6 Feb 2020
Typical for 2003 Audi A392,659 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationSW53 BUF
MakeAudi
ModelA3
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 6 Feb 2020 170,196 miles

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

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

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

Fail 5 Feb 2020 170,195 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases after cat (6.1.2 (a))

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jan 2019 159,997 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

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

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

Fail 17 Jan 2019 159,997 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded part of hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded part of hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

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

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

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

Pass 30 Jan 2018 151,991 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Jan 2018 151,991 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill area (5.2.6)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing not fully checked due to binding brake

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

Pass 31 Jan 2017 148,164 miles

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

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

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

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

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

Pass 5 Feb 2016 145,306 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Jan 2016 145,306 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded part of hose (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded part of hose (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

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

Pass 2 Feb 2015 143,102 miles

Both front tyres wearing inner edge

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

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

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

Fail 31 Jan 2015 143,102 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Both front tyres wearing inner edge

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

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2013 140,969 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside front tyre wearing inner edge

Fail 25 Oct 2013 140,969 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Emissions not checked due to condition of exhaust

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside front tyre wearing inner edge

Pass 17 Oct 2012 137,800 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Fail 17 Oct 2012 137,800 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

Pass 17 Oct 2011 133,769 miles

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

Pass 20 Oct 2010 122,519 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2010 122,519 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Oct 2009 105,116 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2009 105,116 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 28 Oct 2008 91,449 miles
Fail 28 Oct 2008 91,449 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Pass 26 Oct 2007 77,510 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 20 Oct 2006 62,222 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

SW53 BUF is a 2003 Audi A3 in Red with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 SW53 BUF, 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 SW53 BUF?

You can check the full history of SW53 BUF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SW53 BUF registered?

SW53 BUF is a 2003 Audi A3, first registered on 22 October 2003.

Is SW53 BUF safe to buy?

The MOT history for SW53 BUF shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SW53 BUF 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 SW53 BUF. 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.