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BL53 RTX

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Dec 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

106,434 mi
Last recorded106,434 miles
Recorded on17 Dec 2025
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Beetle73,703 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationBL53 RTX
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

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 10 fail
Pass 17 Dec 2025 106,434 miles
Fail 27 Nov 2025 106,408 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Dec 2024 103,840 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2024 103,840 miles

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

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))

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2023 100,844 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective central exhaust lower support bracket. (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 18 Nov 2022 96,868 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2022 96,868 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2021 92,853 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2021 92,840 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Brake cable has restricted free movement (1.1.15 (e))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (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))

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

Pass 30 Jul 2020 90,467 miles

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

Pass 14 Aug 2018 89,950 miles
Fail 14 Aug 2018 89,950 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Pass 31 Jul 2017 86,899 miles
Pass 2 Aug 2016 81,605 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2015 76,263 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2015 76,263 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

exhaust pipe rattle on mid mounting

Pass 11 Mar 2014 69,326 miles

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

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

centre exhaust mount weld broken.

Pass 12 Mar 2013 59,263 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2012 53,398 miles
Pass 25 Feb 2011 48,523 miles

Coolant leak

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Fail 25 Feb 2011 48,523 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Coolant leak

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

nearside front tyre worn inner and outer tread 1.6=2.0mm.

Pass 17 Mar 2010 44,062 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2010 44,062 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 10 Jul 2009 36,023 miles
Pass 14 Jul 2008 28,733 miles

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 3 Apr 2008 27,239 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2008 27,146 miles

Offside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Pass 7 Mar 2007 19,021 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2007 18,651 miles

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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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BL53 RTX is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 BL53 RTX, 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 BL53 RTX?

You can check the full history of BL53 RTX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BL53 RTX registered?

BL53 RTX is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 5 December 2003.

Is BL53 RTX safe to buy?

The MOT history for BL53 RTX shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BL53 RTX 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 BL53 RTX. 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.