CarVerify

Free Car Check

AC03 AXJ

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

Cream Petrol 1984cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Oct 2026
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

121,220 mi
Last recorded121,220 miles
Recorded on17 Oct 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

RegistrationAC03 AXJ
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2003
ColourCream
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,984cc

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

19 pass 8 fail
Pass 17 Oct 2025 121,220 miles

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

Nearside Front [front] sill corroded not within a prescribed area

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2025 121,218 miles

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

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

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

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault air bag warning light (7.1.6 (a))

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure seat does not lock down, insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 28 Jun 2024 119,776 miles

Offside Rear corrosion starting on floor area (drain bung)

Fail 21 Nov 2023 119,776 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake performance is lower than normal for this type of vehicle

Pass 19 Nov 2022 116,557 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2022 116,557 miles

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

Offside Rear Inner Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2021 112,056 miles

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

Fail 17 Nov 2021 112,056 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Nov 2020 107,861 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2019 103,028 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2019 102,945 miles

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))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault Air bag light on . (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 9 Nov 2018 96,726 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 7 Nov 2018 96,677 miles

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2017 93,419 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 21 Nov 2016 87,951 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2015 81,379 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2014 73,618 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2013 66,778 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front inner pads low

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear inner pads low

Pass 25 Oct 2012 60,127 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2011 53,885 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 11 Oct 2011 53,885 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2010 47,537 miles
Pass 14 Oct 2009 39,946 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 7 Oct 2008 32,831 miles

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

n/s front wiper blade splitting

Pass 28 Aug 2007 25,020 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2006 20,913 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)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 4 Sep 2006 20,913 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)

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

AC03 AXJ is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle in Cream with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 AC03 AXJ, 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 AC03 AXJ?

You can check the full history of AC03 AXJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AC03 AXJ registered?

AC03 AXJ is a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 5 August 2003.

Is AC03 AXJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for AC03 AXJ shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AC03 AXJ 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 AC03 AXJ. 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.