CarVerify

Free Car Check

AP53 DYF

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Feb 2026
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

124,503 mi
Last recorded124,503 miles
Recorded on3 Feb 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

RegistrationAP53 DYF
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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 7 fail
Pass 3 Feb 2025 124,503 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Feb 2025 124,503 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced body sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 2 Feb 2024 120,178 miles

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

Fail 2 Feb 2024 120,178 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Fail 20 Jan 2024 120,175 miles

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

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Outer 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))

Pass 31 Jan 2023 114,227 miles
Fail 31 Jan 2023 114,227 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Feb 2022 107,503 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Jan 2022 107,403 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jan 2021 99,951 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2021 99,950 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 25 Jan 2020 93,258 miles

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

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 25 Jan 2020 93,258 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 4 Jan 2019 85,927 miles
Pass 12 Dec 2017 80,373 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2016 78,083 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2015 75,393 miles

Front brake discs corroded on inner faces

all 4 tyres cracking/perishing

Pass 11 Nov 2014 70,661 miles

front wiper blades judder

inner face of front brake discs corroded

windscreen chipped outside wiper sweep

Pass 11 Nov 2013 65,242 miles

Stone chips in windscreen

Pass 12 Nov 2012 60,279 miles

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2011 53,435 miles

stone chip outside wiper sweap

Pass 15 Nov 2010 47,047 miles

off side front brake disc has slight surface corrosion

Pass 16 Nov 2009 40,082 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 11 Nov 2008 31,548 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2007 23,408 miles
Pass 10 Nov 2006 15,395 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

AP53 DYF is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Silver with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 AP53 DYF, 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 AP53 DYF?

You can check the full history of AP53 DYF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AP53 DYF registered?

AP53 DYF is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 10 December 2003.

Is AP53 DYF safe to buy?

The MOT history for AP53 DYF shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AP53 DYF 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 AP53 DYF. 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.