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SLZ 3903

1996 Volkswagen Beetle

White Diesel 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jan 2027
Tests39 (27 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

42,893 mi
Last recorded42,893 miles
Recorded on19 Jan 2026
Typical for 1996 Volkswagen Beetle41,156 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationSLZ 3903
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1996
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,500cc

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

27 pass 12 fail
Pass 19 Jan 2026 42,893 miles

Exhaust mounting defective all exhaust rubbers perished and couple broken (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front chassis leg surface corrosion

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

Fail 12 Jan 2026 42,875 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner step several places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust mounting defective all exhaust rubbers perished and couple broken (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front chassis leg surface corrosion

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

Pass 9 Dec 2025 123,559 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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))

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

Fail 17 Nov 2025 123,443 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 Nov 2024 118,924 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Nov 2024 118,730 miles

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Emits clearly visible smoke during acceleration

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Jun 2024 42,721 miles

CORROSION STARTING UNDER VEHICLE

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

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

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

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

Fail 23 May 2024 42,700 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Brake performance unable to be tested DUE TO DEEP CUTS SHOWING CORD OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE. (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Rear Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

CORROSION STARTING UNDER VEHICLE

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

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

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

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 13 Nov 2023 114,855 miles

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 26 Oct 2023 114,597 miles

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

Emissions unable to be completed Due to vehicles exhaust emitting excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 31 May 2023 39,401 miles

Corrosion starting under vehicle

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre

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

Oil leak but not excessive

Pass 16 Nov 2022 108,825 miles

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

Fail 10 Nov 2022 108,803 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 15 Jun 2021 100,935 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Fail 3 Jun 2021 100,793 miles

Emissions not tested Due to excess smoke (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Pass 11 Jun 2020 95,915 miles

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Fail 11 Jun 2020 95,915 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working Bulb replaced (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 30 May 2019 90,851 miles

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

Pass 11 Jun 2018 85,278 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 Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 16 May 2017 79,328 miles

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

Fail 12 May 2017 79,320 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin outer pad close to limit (3.5.1g)

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

Pass 16 May 2016 72,630 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2015 68,693 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 30 Jun 2015 68,693 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2014 39,363 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 18 Aug 2014 39,363 miles

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

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 1 Jul 2014 58,495 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 28 Jun 2013
Pass 20 Mar 2013 38,736 miles

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

all breake pipes have been heavily coverd in underseal

Fail 20 Mar 2013 38,736 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

all breake pipes have been heavily coverd in underseal

Pass 23 Jun 2012 45,087 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2011 39,270 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 6 May 2011 36,941 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2010 34,063 miles
Pass 5 May 2010 30,543 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2009 25,674 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2009 29,781 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2008 28,156 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2007 26,474 miles

all tyres slightly perished

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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SLZ 3903 is a 1996 Volkswagen Beetle in White with a 2,500cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 39 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1996 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.1% with a typical mileage of 41,156 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 SLZ 3903, 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 30 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SLZ 3903?

You can check the full history of SLZ 3903 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SLZ 3903 registered?

SLZ 3903 is a 1996 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is SLZ 3903 safe to buy?

The MOT history for SLZ 3903 shows 39 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 SLZ 3903 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 SLZ 3903. 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.