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BUG 53H

2004 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1596cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Aug 2026
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

100,334 mi
Last recorded100,334 miles
Recorded on26 Jul 2025
Typical for 2004 Volkswagen Beetle71,947 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationBUG 53H
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2004
ColourGreen
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 8 fail
Pass 26 Jul 2025 100,334 miles

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2025 100,334 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Aug 2024 93,614 miles

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

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

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

Fail 18 Jun 2024 93,534 miles

Emissions unable to be completed excessive blue smoke from exhaust (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Windscreen washer not working both sides (3.5 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly misaligned (5.2.3 (j))

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

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

Pass 24 May 2023 86,054 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear/rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Engine stabiliser bolt sheared however mounting still secure

Minor corrosion to offside chassis sill

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 16 May 2023 85,971 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (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 Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear/rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Engine stabiliser bolt sheared however mounting still secure

Minor corrosion to offside chassis sill

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 18 May 2022 83,543 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear/rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Engine stabiliser bolt sheared however mounting still secure

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

Minor corrosion to offside chassis sill

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 26 May 2021 81,412 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside front and rears (1.1.11 (c))

Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated both front outers (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Fail 26 May 2021 81,412 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside front and rears (1.1.11 (c))

Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated both front outers (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 11 Jun 2020 79,402 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 17 Feb 2020 79,319 miles

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (8.2.1.2 (f))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2019 72,521 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2017 68,060 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2017 68,049 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

EML on

Pass 17 Aug 2016 64,368 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2016 64,368 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 21 Aug 2015 60,262 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2014 52,700 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2013 47,962 miles

passanger airbag switched off

Pass 28 Mar 2012 43,310 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2012 43,305 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 6 Apr 2011 39,246 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2010 34,473 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2009 30,802 miles
Pass 17 May 2008 27,632 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 26 Mar 2007 22,948 miles

handbrake is stiff †stonechip in zone b

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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BUG 53H is a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2004 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.8% with a typical mileage of 71,947 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 BUG 53H, 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 22 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 BUG 53H?

You can check the full history of BUG 53H by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BUG 53H registered?

BUG 53H is a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 12 March 2004.

Is BUG 53H safe to buy?

The MOT history for BUG 53H shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BUG 53H 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 BUG 53H. 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.