CarVerify

Free Car Check

AF53 ZGN

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Red Petrol 1984cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 May 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

149,965 mi
Last recorded149,965 miles
Recorded on8 May 2026
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

RegistrationAF53 ZGN
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourRed
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 8 May 2026 149,965 miles

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

Nearside 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 8 May 2026 149,965 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective both front (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside 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 25 Apr 2025 143,779 miles

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin approx 4mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear reverse lamp inop

Fail 24 Apr 2025 143,779 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin approx 4mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear reverse lamp inop

Pass 4 May 2024 137,331 miles

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

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

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

Fail 4 May 2024 137,331 miles

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

Headlamp lens seriously defective both front (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 May 2023 128,727 miles

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

Fail 9 May 2023 128,726 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 May 2022 120,614 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive fuel filter slightly damp (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 7 May 2021 113,784 miles

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slight cracking in tread both rear tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 6 May 2021 113,784 miles

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

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

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slight cracking in tread both rear tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 1 May 2020 108,741 miles

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

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

Pass 9 May 2019 99,825 miles

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

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

Fail 8 May 2019 99,825 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Exhaust mounting defective corroded (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 30 May 2018 90,770 miles

Front both fron tyres low on tread inner shoulders

Pass 2 Jun 2017 81,929 miles

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Pass 13 Jun 2016 73,777 miles

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

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

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

front wipers worn, but still clear screen of excess water

Pass 5 Jun 2015 65,328 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2015 65,328 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jun 2014 58,631 miles

catalytic converter heatshield rattling

o/s/f tyre worn inner edge

Pass 20 May 2013 51,905 miles
Pass 29 May 2012 46,544 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2011 41,040 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2010 36,036 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2009 31,107 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2008 25,048 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2007 16,857 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2007 16,857 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 26 Sep 2006 14,015 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

AF53 ZGN is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Red with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 AF53 ZGN, 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 AF53 ZGN?

You can check the full history of AF53 ZGN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AF53 ZGN registered?

AF53 ZGN is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is AF53 ZGN safe to buy?

The MOT history for AF53 ZGN shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AF53 ZGN 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 AF53 ZGN. 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.