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AU53 VHC

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Grey Petrol 1390cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Dec 2025
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

60,262 mi
Last recorded60,262 miles
Recorded on2 Dec 2024
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationAU53 VHC
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourGrey
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

19 pass 8 fail
Pass 2 Dec 2024 60,262 miles

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

surface rust on rear suspension

Fail 27 Nov 2024 60,358 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

surface rust on rear suspension

Pass 11 Aug 2023 59,454 miles

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

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

both rear axle bush,s cracked and perished

Fail 31 Jul 2023 59,361 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

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

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

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

both rear axle bush,s cracked and perished

Pass 2 Aug 2022 56,899 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded Pipes on rack (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Steering system slightly rough (2.1.1 (a))

Fail 2 Aug 2022 56,899 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (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 has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded Pipes on rack (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Steering system slightly rough (2.1.1 (a))

Pass 2 Aug 2021 55,589 miles

Central Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front tyre wearing on outer edge

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Aug 2020 54,581 miles

Central Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Front tyre at 3.37 mm ap

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

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

Fail 29 Jul 2020 54,573 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Central Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Front tyre at 3.37 mm ap

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2019 53,470 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jul 2019 53,468 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 205/55/16 (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2018 51,988 miles

Central stop light

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view zone a and zone b (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Jul 2018 51,988 miles

Nearside 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))

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

Central stop light

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view zone a and zone b (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jul 2017 50,512 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

rear coil springs corroded

Pass 21 Jul 2016 48,886 miles

Nearside Front tyre perished

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion sill (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear tyre perished

Offside Rear Inner Body has slight corrosion sill (6.1.B.2)

service light on

Pass 24 Jul 2015 47,863 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2014 46,697 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2014 46,538 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2013 44,764 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2012 42,663 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2011 40,991 miles
Pass 24 Jul 2010 39,429 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 4 Aug 2009 37,539 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2009 37,513 miles

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 5 Aug 2008 35,201 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2007 33,105 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2006 30,379 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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AU53 VHC is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Grey with a 1,390cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 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 AU53 VHC, 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 AU53 VHC?

You can check the full history of AU53 VHC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AU53 VHC registered?

AU53 VHC is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 6 September 2003.

Is AU53 VHC safe to buy?

The MOT history for AU53 VHC shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AU53 VHC 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 AU53 VHC. 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.