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Y353 GCL

2001 Volkswagen Beetle

Yellow Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Sep 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

117,270 mi
Last recorded117,270 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 2025
Typical for 2001 Volkswagen Beetle79,088 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

RegistrationY353 GCL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2001
ColourYellow
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 117,270 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Reverse lights not working

Fail 12 Sep 2025 117,270 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Central Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Central Exhaust mounting defective X2 mounts causing exhaust to rub on bracket (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Reverse lights not working

Pass 19 Sep 2024 110,654 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded Corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded Corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Reverse light not working

Fail 9 Sep 2024 110,592 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Reversing lamp inoperative (4.6.1 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm likely to fail (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Outer outer steering pipes corroded

Pass 13 Sep 2023 104,717 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Sep 2023 104,717 miles

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

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 Brake disc significantly and obviously worn Both discs (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Sep 2022 99,866 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 7 Sep 2022 99,863 miles

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

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

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Jul 2021 99,197 miles
Pass 14 Jul 2020 98,062 miles

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

Driver's view Items removed from driver's view prior to test (3.1 (a) (ii))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both fronts (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 14 Jul 2020 98,060 miles

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))

Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible N/S and O/S (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Driver's view Items removed from driver's view prior to test (3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 2 May 2019 96,135 miles

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

Play in front strut tops when jacked

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both fronts (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 2 May 2019 96,135 miles

Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible Both sides (4.1.4 (c))

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

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

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

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

Play in front strut tops when jacked

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both fronts (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 24 Apr 2018 93,540 miles

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Offside and nearside front lower arm rear bushes (2.4.G.2)

Fail 24 Apr 2018 93,540 miles

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

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Offside and nearside front lower arm rear bushes (2.4.G.2)

Pass 3 May 2017 91,112 miles

Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment both fronts when jacked (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 6 May 2016 87,976 miles

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

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

Fail 6 May 2016 87,976 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 May 2015 85,430 miles
Pass 1 May 2014 77,372 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2013 70,183 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Pass 23 Apr 2012 66,902 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2011 64,634 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2011 64,629 miles

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 19 Jun 2010 62,802 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2009 60,969 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2008 59,221 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2007 55,161 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)

both front tyres on limit

Pass 8 Jun 2006 41,181 miles
Fail 31 May 2006 41,171 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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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Y353 GCL is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle in Yellow with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 Y353 GCL, 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 Y353 GCL?

You can check the full history of Y353 GCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was Y353 GCL registered?

Y353 GCL is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 11 May 2001.

Is Y353 GCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for Y353 GCL shows 30 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 Y353 GCL 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 Y353 GCL. 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.