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AT53 BYH

2004 Volkswagen Beetle

Red Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Jul 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

168,652 mi
Last recorded168,652 miles
Recorded on7 Jul 2026
Typical for 2004 Volkswagen Beetle71,947 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationAT53 BYH
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2004
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc
View full Volkswagen Beetle reliability data Browse other 2004 Volkswagen Beetle registrations

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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 7 Jul 2026 168,652 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

headlight beam benders fitted

reverse light not working

Fail 7 Jul 2026 168,652 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

headlight beam benders fitted

reverse light not working

Pass 3 Jul 2025 164,043 miles

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

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

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

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

beam benders fitted to front head lamps

Fail 3 Jul 2025 164,043 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))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

exhaust heat shield loose and rattling

Pass 9 Jul 2024 159,095 miles

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

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

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

Fail 9 Jul 2024 159,095 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jul 2023 151,540 miles

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear reverse light in/op 2006 vehicle

Fail 10 Jul 2023 151,540 miles

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear reverse light in/op 2006 vehicle

Pass 11 Jul 2022 143,951 miles

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Jul 2022 143,951 miles

Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Both dipping to right (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Jun 2021 134,195 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jul 2020 129,097 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2020 129,097 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.4mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Pass 7 Mar 2019 123,719 miles

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

Front Brake hose slightly damaged both (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 6 Mar 2019 123,719 miles

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Front Brake hose slightly damaged both (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2018 120,365 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Fail 28 Mar 2018 120,365 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 28 Mar 2017 114,213 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 17 Mar 2017 114,210 miles

Braking system leaking Vacuum pipe from brake servo leaking. (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 30 Mar 2016 109,957 miles

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

Fail 30 Mar 2016 109,957 miles

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 23 Mar 2015 103,978 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 31 Mar 2014 93,406 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2013 87,410 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2012 78,254 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2010 58,224 miles
Pass 6 May 2009 48,185 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2008 38,562 miles

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

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 BYH is a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle in Red with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 2004 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.8% with a typical mileage of 71,947 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 AT53 BYH, 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 22 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 BYH?

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

What year was AT53 BYH registered?

AT53 BYH is a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 31 December 2004.

Is AT53 BYH safe to buy?

The MOT history for AT53 BYH shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AT53 BYH 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 BYH. 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.