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SY53 UCM

2003 Skoda Octavia

Orange Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Nov 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

156,757 mi
Last recorded156,757 miles
Recorded on6 Nov 2025
Typical for 2003 Skoda Octavia102,585 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Skoda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSY53 UCM
MakeSkoda
ModelOctavia
Year2003
ColourOrange
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc
View full Skoda Octavia reliability data Browse other 2003 Skoda Octavia registrations

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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 6 Nov 2025 156,757 miles

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

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

Offside Front Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear most bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear boot floor support excessively corroded but structural rigidity not significantly reduced

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 30 Oct 2025 156,715 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested due to leaking pipe/connection (1.2.1 (g))

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

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction inoperative (8.2.2.2 (g))

Headlamp levelling device cannot be operated from the driver's seat both headlamps (4.1.5 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system brake pipe/ connection leaking (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material corroded, front to rear pipe (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear axle bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear axle bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear boot floor support excessively corroded but structural rigidity not significantly reduced

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

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

general corrosion of suspension components

Pass 5 Nov 2024 154,301 miles

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

General underbody corrosion

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

rear axle corroded

Pass 10 Oct 2023 151,436 miles

Both inner sills coated in black paint or similar

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/65/15 (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Main - flexi (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear axle corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2023 151,288 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit 0.90 (8.2.2.2 (a))

Both inner sills coated in black paint or similar

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/65/15 (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Main - flexi (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear axle corroded

Pass 27 Sep 2022 148,232 miles

Brake pedal sinking slightly on first application

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/65/15 (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 16 Sep 2022 148,037 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit 0,90 (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Brake pedal sinking slightly on first application

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/65/15 (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 22 Sep 2021 145,003 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes covered with grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

advise surface corrosion at front of both outer sills

Fail 13 Sep 2021 144,851 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn strut top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill / floor at rear corroded and holed (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn strut top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes covered with grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

advise surface corrosion at front of both outer sills

Pass 21 Sep 2020 141,005 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

advise floor damaged at rear at both sides , suspect car has been jacked up using floor

Pass 3 Sep 2019 137,860 miles

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

Pass 11 Sep 2018 134,932 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 4 Sep 2018 134,929 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 12 Sep 2017 132,040 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

p/s pipe damp

Fail 12 Sep 2017 132,040 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

p/s pipe damp

Pass 13 Sep 2016 128,918 miles

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

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

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

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

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)

Fail 6 Sep 2016 128,827 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

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

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)

Pass 16 Sep 2015 126,134 miles

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

o/s/f tyre worn inner edge

Fail 10 Sep 2015 126,048 miles

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

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

o/s/f tyre worn inner edge

Pass 17 Sep 2014 120,808 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

oil leak

Fail 10 Sep 2014 120,554 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

oil leak

Pass 7 Sep 2013 116,741 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Sep 2012 112,483 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2011 106,810 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2010 95,252 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Pass 8 Sep 2009 83,617 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 8 Sep 2009 83,616 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 4 Sep 2008 69,768 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

front brake bind

Pass 16 Aug 2007 51,907 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2006 37,188 miles

How Reliable is the Skoda Octavia?

Based on 3,816,734 MOT tests across 338,116 vehicles.

77.7%
Pass Rate
8,620
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
338,116
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 81,688
Registration plate lamp not working 38,058
position lamp(s) not working 31,953
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 31,729
Direction indicator incorrect colour 28,575
Full Skoda Octavia reliability report

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SY53 UCM is a 2003 Skoda Octavia in Orange with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 2003 Skoda Octavia models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 102,585 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 Skoda Octavia fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 81,688 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SY53 UCM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Skoda Octavia typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 23 years old, this Skoda Octavia is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SY53 UCM?

You can check the full history of SY53 UCM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SY53 UCM registered?

SY53 UCM is a 2003 Skoda Octavia, first registered on 13 September 2003.

Is SY53 UCM safe to buy?

The MOT history for SY53 UCM shows 30 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 SY53 UCM 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 SY53 UCM. 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.