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AE53 HJF

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1984cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Sep 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

114,860 mi
Last recorded114,860 miles
Recorded on28 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAE53 HJF
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 28 Aug 2025 114,860 miles

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

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

Front sill corroded both

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2024 113,871 miles

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

Fail 2 Sep 2024 113,841 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))

Front Direction indicator incorrect colour both sides white (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2023 112,480 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin + discs worn and corrded (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 18 Jul 2023 112,420 miles

Front Direction indicator incorrect colour white (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill + back of sill axal mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin + discs worn and corrded (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 8 Aug 2022 110,525 miles

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

Fail 8 Aug 2022 110,525 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jun 2021 108,406 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement

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

Oil leak, but not excessive

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

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

Pass 11 May 2020 106,024 miles

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

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

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

Fail 11 May 2020 106,024 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 31 May 2019 103,962 miles
Pass 31 May 2018 93,699 miles

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

Fail 31 May 2018 93,699 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Pass 26 May 2017 87,480 miles

Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both front D bushes (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play inner track/tie rod (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 25 May 2016 83,927 miles

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

offside rack end

Fail 24 May 2016 83,927 miles

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

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

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

offside rack end

Pass 3 Jul 2015 79,917 miles

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

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

o/s/r tyre starting to crack

Fail 3 Jul 2015 79,917 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

o/s/r tyre starting to crack

Pass 25 Jul 2014 75,167 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

exhaust showing signs of corrosion

Pass 5 Jul 2013 69,962 miles

Front registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 18 Jul 2012 66,095 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Jul 2012 66,095 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)

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 26 Jul 2011 62,469 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

n/s/f tyre running off on edge

Pass 27 Jul 2010 59,228 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 27 Jul 2010 59,228 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 27 Jul 2009 56,210 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2008 54,278 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2007 44,897 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2006 33,906 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

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AE53 HJF is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 AE53 HJF, 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 AE53 HJF?

You can check the full history of AE53 HJF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE53 HJF registered?

AE53 HJF is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 3 October 2003.

Is AE53 HJF safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE53 HJF 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 AE53 HJF 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 AE53 HJF. 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.