CarVerify

Free Car Check

BN53 YSV

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Petrol 1596cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Apr 2025
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

129,901 mi
Last recorded129,901 miles
Recorded on22 Apr 2025
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

RegistrationBN53 YSV
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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

18 pass 9 fail
Fail 22 Apr 2025 129,901 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

n/s/r and o/s/r axle bushes deteriorated

Pass 22 Apr 2024 120,950 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 8 Feb 2023 119,476 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 7 Oct 2022 119,443 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre exhaust clamp (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust system insecure centre hanger (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front 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))

front subframe + o/s front bottom arm corroded

Pass 24 Mar 2021 118,502 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2020 114,188 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Very slight minor play ()

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

Fail 22 Feb 2020 114,188 miles

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))

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Very slight minor play ()

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

Pass 18 Mar 2019 108,966 miles
Fail 13 Mar 2019 108,966 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 205/55/16 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Apr 2018 105,416 miles

breather pipe broken revs up and down

Fail 5 Apr 2018 105,414 miles

Central Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

breather pipe broken revs up and down

Pass 13 Apr 2017 101,340 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2017 101,293 miles

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 15 Apr 2016 96,614 miles
Fail 15 Apr 2016 96,611 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located (2.4.C.2)

Pass 20 Apr 2015 91,203 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2015 91,202 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

OS Arch Lining Loose

Pass 22 Mar 2014 77,445 miles

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

Fail 22 Mar 2014 77,445 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2013 67,007 miles

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

Pass 28 Mar 2012 61,809 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2011 56,291 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 19 Mar 2010 48,996 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 6 Apr 2009 43,658 miles
Pass 31 Oct 2008 42,970 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2007 36,426 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2006 29,423 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

BN53 YSV is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Silver with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 BN53 YSV, 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 BN53 YSV?

You can check the full history of BN53 YSV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BN53 YSV registered?

BN53 YSV is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 9 September 2003.

Is BN53 YSV safe to buy?

The MOT history for BN53 YSV shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BN53 YSV 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 BN53 YSV. 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.