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BJ53 BNA

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Black Petrol 1984cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Jul 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

147,116 mi
Last recorded147,116 miles
Recorded on17 Jul 2026
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationBJ53 BNA
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,984cc

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 12 fail
Pass 17 Jul 2026 147,116 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2026 147,113 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2025 147,106 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Jul 2025 147,106 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 26 Jun 2024 147,072 miles

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

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

Fail 26 Jun 2024 147,072 miles

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

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 3 Jul 2023 146,984 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2022 145,941 miles

engin light on

Pass 10 Dec 2020 137,442 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Fail 3 Dec 2020 137,440 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Dec 2019 132,097 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Nov 2018 125,340 miles
Fail 15 Nov 2018 125,338 miles

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 1 Dec 2017 118,330 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 1 Dec 2017 118,327 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 21 Oct 2016 110,194 miles

Brake pipes plastic coated, signs of corrosion under coating

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

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

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

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

Fail 19 Oct 2016 110,194 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Brake pipes plastic coated, signs of corrosion under coating

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2015 94,702 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2015 94,700 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 18 Sep 2014 88,742 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2013 83,976 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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)

centre exhaust mounting deteriorated but still supporting the exhaust

Fail 31 Oct 2013 83,965 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2) DANGEROUS

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

centre exhaust mounting deteriorated but still supporting the exhaust

Pass 14 Apr 2012 74,704 miles

o/s and n/s front tyre's getting low

Fail 7 Apr 2011 69,986 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 7 Apr 2011 69,986 miles

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

Pass 7 Apr 2010 64,381 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2009 58,060 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2008 52,384 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2008 52,370 miles

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

Pass 27 Mar 2007 44,892 miles
Fail 26 Mar 2007 44,892 miles

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

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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BJ53 BNA is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Black with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 BJ53 BNA, 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 BJ53 BNA?

You can check the full history of BJ53 BNA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BJ53 BNA registered?

BJ53 BNA is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 29 September 2003.

Is BJ53 BNA safe to buy?

The MOT history for BJ53 BNA shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BJ53 BNA 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 BJ53 BNA. 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.