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VX53 KCE

2003 Saab 9-3

Red Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Sep 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

117,075 mi
Last recorded117,075 miles
Recorded on11 Sep 2025
Typical for 2003 Saab 9-385,740 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Saab
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationVX53 KCE
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc
View full Saab 9-3 reliability data Browse other 2003 Saab 9-3 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 9 fail
Pass 11 Sep 2025 117,075 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

condition of headlamps

exhaust heat shield loose

headlamp switch loose

sill covers fitted

Pass 4 Sep 2024 113,971 miles

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

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

covers fitted

headlight condition

Fail 4 Sep 2024 113,971 miles

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating both (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating both (1.2.1 (e))

Brake disc worn, but not excessively all (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

covers fitted

headlight condition

Pass 28 Sep 2023 111,433 miles

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported pipe feeding o/s front (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Aug 2023 111,415 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Aug 2022 108,369 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Aug 2022 108,369 miles

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

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Aug 2021 101,040 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 16 Aug 2021 101,040 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 27 Aug 2020 94,698 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 27 Aug 2020 94,698 miles

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 26 Aug 2019 83,227 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 26 Aug 2019 83,227 miles

Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2018 72,989 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2017 69,683 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2017 69,683 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Pass 17 Aug 2016 66,270 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2016 66,270 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2015 60,375 miles

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

Pass 5 Sep 2014 54,631 miles

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

Pass 4 Sep 2013 48,824 miles

o/s/r tyre stepped

Pass 24 Oct 2012 44,221 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2011 38,880 miles

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

Pass 13 Oct 2010 34,176 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2009 29,635 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2009 29,635 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2008 25,861 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2007 20,969 miles

both front tyres worn on edges

Pass 11 Oct 2006 14,813 miles

front brake inbalance

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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VX53 KCE is a 2003 Saab 9-3 in Red with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 KCE, 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 KCE?

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

What year was VX53 KCE registered?

VX53 KCE is a 2003 Saab 9-3, first registered on 23 September 2003.

Is VX53 KCE safe to buy?

The MOT history for VX53 KCE shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VX53 KCE 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 KCE. 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.