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AU53 VSD

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Blue Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Mar 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

106,531 mi
Last recorded106,531 miles
Recorded on19 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAU53 VSD
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 19 Mar 2026 106,531 miles

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

Pass 22 Mar 2025 104,521 miles

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

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

previous failures shows sign of repairs and covered in thick black sealants

Fail 19 Mar 2025 104,518 miles

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2024 102,961 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2023 96,183 miles

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Both Sides (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Inner Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill's Both sides (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

Fail 24 Feb 2023 96,179 miles

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

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

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

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Both Sides (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Inner Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill's Both sides (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 Feb 2022 89,666 miles

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

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Feb 2022 89,665 miles

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 24 Feb 2021 84,528 miles

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Pass 10 Feb 2020 80,232 miles

Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 26 Feb 2019 75,402 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 31 Jan 2018 69,270 miles

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

Tyre worn close to the legal limit n/s/f, o/s/f, n/s/r (4.1.E.1)

Pass 22 Feb 2017 63,057 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2017 63,057 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 29 Feb 2016 57,137 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2016 57,137 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Pass 25 Sep 2014 55,619 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

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

nearside rear tyre perished/nail

Fail 19 Sep 2014 55,584 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Small chips in windscreen

Pass 20 Sep 2013 50,503 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 21 Sep 2012 45,246 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2011 40,176 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2010 36,110 miles

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

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

Slight fuel weap from around diesel tandem pump area

Fail 24 Sep 2010 36,110 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Tyre, punctured and loosing pressure

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

Slight fuel weap from around diesel tandem pump area

Pass 23 Sep 2009 27,917 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2008 22,566 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2007 18,336 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2006 13,832 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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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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.

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AU53 VSD is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Blue with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 AU53 VSD, 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 VSD?

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

What year was AU53 VSD registered?

AU53 VSD is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 25 September 2003.

Is AU53 VSD safe to buy?

The MOT history for AU53 VSD shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AU53 VSD 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 VSD. 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.