CarVerify

Free Car Check

AD53 WHR

2004 Volkswagen Polo

Red Petrol 1198cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Jul 2025
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

195,155 mi
Last recorded195,155 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2025
Typical for 2004 Volkswagen Polo65,089 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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

RegistrationAD53 WHR
MakeVolkswagen
ModelPolo
Year2004
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,198cc

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 11 fail
Fail 10 Jun 2025 195,155 miles

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

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases front flexi and rear exhaust silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced front to rear outer sill corroded and holed (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear rear axle corroded

noise from drivebelt area

spare wheel well corroded and holed not on a prescribed area

Pass 11 Jul 2024 188,908 miles

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

Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output Both sides front (4.1.4 (b))

O/S mirror cover damaged

O/S/R light lense cracked

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides front arms rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both sides front (5.2.3 (e))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view minor chips in windscreen (3.2 (a) (i))

all seat belts slow to retract

exhaust joints and clamps corroded

front exhaust flexi deteriorated

spare wheel carrier corroded and holed

Fail 10 Jul 2024 188,902 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking and braking performance affected (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

all seat belts slow to retract

exhaust joints and clamps corroded

front exhaust flexi deteriorated

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

Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output Both sides front (4.1.4 (b))

O/S mirror cover damaged

O/S/R light lense cracked

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides front arms rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both sides front (5.2.3 (e))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view minor chips in windscreen (3.2 (a) (i))

spare wheel carrier corroded and holed

Pass 7 Jul 2023 182,330 miles

Both sides rear shocker casings corroded

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

Coil spring corroded Both sides rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front flexi deteriorated

Hand brake lever has little reserve travel

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

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

Rear Lower Gearbox mounting defective ()

Rear axle corroded

Rear axle corroded

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides front rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

added 1 litre of engine oil for emissions

engine noisy

spare wheel carrier corroded and holed

Fail 4 Jul 2023 182,322 miles

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

Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn Both sides front D bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt split (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt insecure (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

Tailgate cannot be secured in the closed position (6.2.1 (e))

Both sides rear shocker casings corroded

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

Coil spring corroded Both sides rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front flexi deteriorated

Hand brake lever has little reserve travel

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

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

Rear Lower Gearbox mounting defective ()

Rear axle corroded

Rear axle corroded

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides front rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

added 1 litre of engine oil for emissions

engine noisy

spare wheel carrier corroded and holed

Pass 22 Jun 2022 168,146 miles

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

Engine sump corroded

Handbrake lever has little reserve travel

N/S/R seat belt slow to retract

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 worn on outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective Both sides front (3.4 (b) (i))

noise from drive belt area

Fail 22 Jun 2022 168,146 miles

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Both sides front (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Engine sump corroded

Handbrake lever has little reserve travel

N/S/R seat belt slow to retract

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 worn on outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective Both sides front (3.4 (b) (i))

noise from drive belt area

Pass 8 Jul 2021 153,016 miles

Both rear shocker casings corroded

rear exhaust silencer outer skin deteriorated

Pass 13 Jul 2020 140,402 miles

front brake discs worn pads low

front exhaust flexi deteriorated and leaking and centre joint leaking

general corrosion to rear suspension and rear shocker casings

noise from engine drive belt area

rear exhaust silencer cover deteriorated

Pass 30 Apr 2019 128,428 miles

Coil spring corroded Rear Coil Springs Corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Subframe Corroded

Wiper Blades Smearing

Fail 30 Apr 2019 128,428 miles

Coil spring corroded Rear Coil Springs Corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Rear Subframe Corroded

Wiper Blades Smearing

Pass 12 Apr 2018 115,415 miles

Offside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view crack (8.1.2a)

Fail 12 Apr 2018 115,404 miles

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

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view crack (8.1.2a)

Pass 6 Apr 2017 103,312 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Apr 2017 103,312 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Apr 2016 94,441 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Apr 2015 84,465 miles

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

rear silencer outer casing corroded

Fail 17 Apr 2015 84,464 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

rear silencer outer casing corroded

Pass 1 May 2014 74,624 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Mar 2013 66,644 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Pass 19 Mar 2013 66,644 miles

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Pass 5 Mar 2012 61,318 miles
Fail 5 Mar 2012 61,318 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 22 Mar 2011 57,710 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2010 54,511 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2009 49,921 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2008 43,692 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2008 43,692 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 17 Jan 2007 33,614 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Polo?

Based on 14,598,296 MOT tests across 1,156,928 vehicles.

72.9%
Pass Rate
5,193
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
1,156,928
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 467,706
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 196,870
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 190,697
Stop lamp not working 181,097
position lamp(s) not working 168,944
Full Volkswagen Polo 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

AD53 WHR is a 2004 Volkswagen Polo in Red with a 1,198cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

Across all 2004 Volkswagen Polo models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.2% with a typical mileage of 65,089 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 Volkswagen Polo fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 467,706 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AD53 WHR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Polo typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 22 years old, this Volkswagen Polo is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AD53 WHR?

You can check the full history of AD53 WHR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AD53 WHR registered?

AD53 WHR is a 2004 Volkswagen Polo, first registered on 23 January 2004.

Is AD53 WHR safe to buy?

The MOT history for AD53 WHR shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AD53 WHR 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 AD53 WHR. 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.