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AT53 BBJ

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Red Petrol 1390cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Jun 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

82,817 mi
Last recorded82,817 miles
Recorded on2 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAT53 BBJ
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,390cc

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 8 fail
Pass 2 Jun 2026 82,817 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 2 Jun 2025 76,579 miles

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

Pass 4 Jun 2024 72,863 miles

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear of main (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 3 Jun 2024 72,863 miles

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

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material rear of main (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 31 May 2023 66,896 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 31 May 2022 59,193 miles
Fail 30 May 2022 59,191 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2021 50,992 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2020 49,929 miles
Fail 31 Jul 2020 49,929 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases under flour cat (6.1.2 (a))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 27 Jul 2019 48,314 miles

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

Fail 26 Jul 2019 48,314 miles

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 Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Pass 31 Jul 2018 46,231 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2018 46,231 miles

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 7 Aug 2017 44,042 miles
Pass 4 Aug 2016 41,688 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Aug 2016 41,688 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Pass 5 Aug 2015 39,180 miles

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

Fail 4 Aug 2015 39,180 miles

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

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Pass 15 Nov 2013 33,735 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2013 33,735 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Pass 5 Nov 2012 30,056 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

airbag warning lamp illuminated

slight oil leak from engine sump plug

Pass 7 Nov 2011 27,147 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2010 23,836 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2009 19,842 miles

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

airbag light on

Pass 28 Oct 2008 16,575 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2007 12,504 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2006 7,508 miles

nail in offside front tyre

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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AT53 BBJ is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Red with a 1,390cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 AT53 BBJ, 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 AT53 BBJ?

You can check the full history of AT53 BBJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AT53 BBJ registered?

AT53 BBJ is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 11 November 2003.

Is AT53 BBJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for AT53 BBJ shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AT53 BBJ 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 AT53 BBJ. 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.