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VX53 JZJ

2003 Saab 9-3

Blue Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Mar 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

131,674 mi
Last recorded131,674 miles
Recorded on23 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Saab 9-385,740 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationVX53 JZJ
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

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 13 fail
Pass 23 Mar 2026 131,674 miles

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

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2025 127,182 miles

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

Pass 28 Mar 2024 121,989 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Mar 2024 121,808 miles

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

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2023 117,439 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2023 117,439 miles

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

Pass 15 Mar 2022 114,300 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 14 Mar 2022 114,300 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Offside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting fractured top shock mount (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2021 112,698 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

corrosion rear subframe

Fail 10 Mar 2021 112,698 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

corrosion rear subframe

Fail 14 Jan 2021 112,634 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn thrust arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Corrosion rear suspension components

Nearside Front Anti-lock braking system wheel speed sensor damaged but not excessively insecure (1.6 (c))

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

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear 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 Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 17 Jan 2020 109,785 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Jan 2020 109,785 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Front Outer Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jan 2019 104,842 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play inner tie rod (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened top shock mount corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

under side corroded

Fail 15 Jan 2019 104,840 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component corroded and seriously weakened top shock mount (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play inner tie rod (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened top shock mount corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

under side corroded

Pass 9 Jan 2018 99,280 miles

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak on engine ()

under body & components showing corrosion

Fail 9 Jan 2018 99,280 miles

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak on engine ()

Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

under body & components showing corrosion

Pass 23 Jan 2017 92,885 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush center d bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush center d bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 12 Jan 2017 92,827 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush center d bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush center d bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 8 Jan 2016 84,948 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jan 2015 78,516 miles
Pass 7 Jan 2014 71,879 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2014 71,866 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

squeak n/s/f suspension possible fault on ball joint

Pass 14 Jan 2013 63,808 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 12 Jan 2013 63,808 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 14 Jan 2012 57,883 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

slight binding o/s/r brake

uneven wear on rear brake linings

Pass 14 Jan 2012 57,883 miles

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

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

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

slight binding o/s/r brake

uneven wear on rear brake linings

Pass 15 Jan 2011 50,647 miles

Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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)

Pass 8 Jan 2010 43,729 miles

Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 10 Jan 2009 36,230 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2008 36,198 miles

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

Pass 21 Dec 2007 30,815 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2006 24,438 miles

How Reliable is the Saab 9-3?

Based on 2,294,034 MOT tests across 155,316 vehicles.

73.6%
Pass Rate
6,682
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
155,316
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 75,543
coil spring broken 47,423
position lamp(s) not working 38,332
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35,584
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 34,513
Full Saab 9-3 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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VX53 JZJ is a 2003 Saab 9-3 in Blue with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 2003 Saab 9-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.0% with a typical mileage of 85,740 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 Saab 9-3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 75,543 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VX53 JZJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Saab 9-3 typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 23 years old, this Saab 9-3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VX53 JZJ?

You can check the full history of VX53 JZJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VX53 JZJ registered?

VX53 JZJ is a 2003 Saab 9-3, first registered on 20 December 2003.

Is VX53 JZJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for VX53 JZJ shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VX53 JZJ 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 VX53 JZJ. 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.