CarVerify

Free Car Check

BD53 UPC

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Grey Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Dec 2025
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

162,439 mi
Last recorded162,439 miles
Recorded on12 Nov 2024
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

RegistrationBD53 UPC
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourGrey
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 8 fail
Pass 12 Nov 2024 162,439 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases also rear outer skin (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Nov 2024 162,439 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases also rear outer skin (6.1.2 (a))

Front Position lamp not working both sides (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Dec 2023 157,425 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 Dec 2023 157,422 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2022 145,869 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2022 145,863 miles

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

Pass 23 Nov 2021 134,441 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2020 127,586 miles

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

Fail 24 Nov 2020 127,580 miles

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective arm (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Nov 2019 121,557 miles

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 29 Nov 2018 115,178 miles

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

Mid rear exhaust system in poor condition

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

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

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

Fail 29 Nov 2018 115,178 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Cat / mid pipe weld deteriorated (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Mid rear exhaust system in poor condition

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

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

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

Pass 25 Nov 2017 108,266 miles

center brake light not working

Pass 19 Nov 2016 101,378 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 21 Nov 2015 92,956 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2014 86,916 miles
Pass 9 Nov 2013 79,074 miles
Pass 14 Nov 2012 73,696 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2011 65,433 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.2c)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 25 Nov 2011 65,433 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.2c)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 29 Nov 2010 56,494 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.4)

Fail 29 Nov 2010 56,494 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.4)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 25 Nov 2009 47,454 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2009 47,450 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2008 39,552 miles

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

Pass 23 Nov 2007 32,554 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2006 23,591 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

BD53 UPC is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Grey with a 1,896cc diesel 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 BD53 UPC, 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 BD53 UPC?

You can check the full history of BD53 UPC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BD53 UPC registered?

BD53 UPC is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 4 December 2003.

Is BD53 UPC safe to buy?

The MOT history for BD53 UPC 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 BD53 UPC 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 BD53 UPC. 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.