CarVerify

Free Car Check

AE51 VTJ

2001 Volkswagen Beetle

Blue Petrol 1984cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Jul 2025
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

150,764 mi
Last recorded150,764 miles
Recorded on21 Jul 2025
Typical for 2001 Volkswagen Beetle79,088 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

RegistrationAE51 VTJ
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2001
ColourBlue
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 9 fail
Fail 21 Jul 2025 150,764 miles

Central Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak middle clamp area (8.2.1.1 (b))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Corroded area with 30 cm to axle mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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))

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

Pass 8 Jul 2024 145,314 miles

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

Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Jul 2024 145,309 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Mar 2023 137,024 miles

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 21 Mar 2023 137,023 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 1 Apr 2022 134,464 miles

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all rear ferrules (1.1.12 (f) (i))

coolant leak from corner of radiator

oil leak

Fail 25 Mar 2022 134,460 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn bottom ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

oil leak

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all rear ferrules (1.1.12 (f) (i))

coolant leak from corner of radiator

Pass 12 Mar 2021 132,051 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test Air freshner ()

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Pass 28 Mar 2020 128,807 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Pass 26 Feb 2019 122,799 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2019 122,789 miles

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2018 115,141 miles

Front Inner brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 13 Feb 2017 106,588 miles

Offside Front back plate slightly corroded

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

Oil leak gear box ()

Pass 17 Feb 2016 97,251 miles

Front brake disks corroded

Pass 12 Jan 2015 87,627 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2015 87,627 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jan 2014 82,431 miles
Pass 31 Jan 2013 76,779 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2011 68,894 miles

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

both rear brake discs worn and corroded

Fail 5 Dec 2011

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

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

both rear brake discs worn and corroded

Pass 7 Dec 2010 62,778 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2009 56,903 miles
Fail 21 Nov 2008 51,932 miles

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

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

damage to both number plates

Pass 21 Nov 2008 51,932 miles

damage to both number plates

Pass 8 Dec 2007 47,825 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2006 43,241 miles

both number plates wearing.

front wiper blades wearing.

nearside front tyre on 1.9mm.

Pass 5 Dec 2005 36,153 miles
Fail 5 Dec 2005 36,153 miles

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

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

Front number plate cracked in corner, not affecting legibility as yet.

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

AE51 VTJ is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle in Blue with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

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 AE51 VTJ, 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 AE51 VTJ?

You can check the full history of AE51 VTJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AE51 VTJ registered?

AE51 VTJ is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 14 December 2001.

Is AE51 VTJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for AE51 VTJ shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AE51 VTJ 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 AE51 VTJ. 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.