CarVerify

Free Car Check

AE03 XPA

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Grey Petrol 1984cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Aug 2026
Tests24 (19 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate79.2%

Mileage

123,967 mi
Last recorded123,967 miles
Recorded on5 Aug 2025
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 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

RegistrationAE03 XPA
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,984cc

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

19 pass 5 fail
Pass 5 Aug 2025 123,967 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 5 Aug 2025 123,967 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (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))

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

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 16 Jul 2024 123,485 miles
Pass 13 May 2023 122,626 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2022 120,357 miles
Pass 2 Feb 2021 118,709 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2019 116,023 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

front brake discs corroded

Pass 20 Apr 2018 111,180 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2017 106,211 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2016 99,920 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2016 99,916 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 19 Mar 2015 93,825 miles

middle exhaust bracket corroded

Pass 7 Feb 2014 85,469 miles

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 19 Feb 2013 79,893 miles

middle exhaust bracket becoming loose

Fail 7 Feb 2012 71,910 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Feb 2012 71,910 miles

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

Pass 9 Jun 2011 71,863 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2010 65,890 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Fail 14 Jun 2010 65,890 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 27 Jun 2009 59,390 miles

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

Fail 27 Jun 2009 59,390 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 27 Jun 2008 51,902 miles

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 18 Jun 2007 43,694 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 26 Jun 2006 35,217 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Beetle?

Based on 1,719,137 MOT tests across 112,454 vehicles.

71.7%
Pass Rate
4,798
Miles/Year
56
Year Lifespan
112,454
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 44,561
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 33,096
Stop lamp not working 28,079
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 27,964
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 23,197
Full Volkswagen Beetle 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

AE03 XPA is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Grey with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 79.2%.

Across all 2003 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.9% with a typical mileage of 73,703 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Beetle fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 44,561 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AE03 XPA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Beetle typically stays on UK roads for around 56 years. At 23 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AE03 XPA?

You can check the full history of AE03 XPA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE03 XPA registered?

AE03 XPA is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 7 May 2003.

Is AE03 XPA safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE03 XPA shows 24 tests with a 79.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AE03 XPA 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 AE03 XPA. 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.