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SF51 CEX

2001 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1595cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Oct 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

144,470 mi
Last recorded144,470 miles
Recorded on28 Oct 2025
Typical for 2001 Volkswagen Beetle79,088 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSF51 CEX
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2001
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,595cc

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 11 fail
Pass 28 Oct 2025 144,470 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both sides (1.2.1 (e))

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Strut (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Strut (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Fail 31 Mar 2025 144,460 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes (1.1.11 (c))

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

Front Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Gearbox mounting defective both mounts ()

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive turbo and sump plug (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Apr 2024 142,968 miles

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

corrosion under car various

Pass 2 Mar 2023 141,520 miles

Central Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Alternator belt slightly perished

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

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

Offside Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Mar 2022 141,177 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear pipe at flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 2 Nov 2020 141,042 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 22 Apr 2019 140,422 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Apr 2018 138,620 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2017 134,012 miles

Central Front Oil leak ()

Nearside Front Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 28 Apr 2016 129,439 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 6 Mar 2015 125,872 miles

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

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

Fail 17 Jul 2014 124,766 miles

Nearside Drag link end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Jul 2014 124,766 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 19 Jun 2013 119,207 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2013 119,025 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 May 2013 118,951 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 13 Sep 2011 113,076 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2011 113,076 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Inner Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Offside Inner Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Fail 23 Feb 2010 103,750 miles

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Pass 23 Feb 2010 103,750 miles
Fail 31 Dec 2009 102,033 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Pass 5 Jan 2009 90,418 miles

engine MIL lamp is on and o/s rear tyre is on the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm

Fail 23 Dec 2008 90,142 miles

Front Tyre(s) incorrect because tyres with different structures are fitted across the same axle (4.1.A.2a)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

engine MIL lamp is on and o/s rear tyre is on the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm

Pass 28 Dec 2007 75,425 miles
Fail 27 Dec 2007 75,425 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 29 Dec 2006 60,541 miles
Fail 28 Dec 2006 60,541 miles

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

Pass 29 Dec 2005 47,392 miles
Fail 29 Dec 2005 47,392 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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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SF51 CEX is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,595cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

Across all 2001 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.7% with a typical mileage of 79,088 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 SF51 CEX, 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 25 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 SF51 CEX?

You can check the full history of SF51 CEX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SF51 CEX registered?

SF51 CEX is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 25 September 2001.

Is SF51 CEX safe to buy?

The MOT history for SF51 CEX shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SF51 CEX 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 SF51 CEX. 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.