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AF51 BYR

2001 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Petrol 1984cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Sep 2026
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

164,386 mi
Last recorded164,386 miles
Recorded on26 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

RegistrationAF51 BYR
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2001
ColourSilver
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

20 pass 15 fail
Pass 26 Sep 2025 164,386 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Aug 2024 151,616 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2023 147,480 miles

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Aug 2022 139,437 miles

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

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 5 Jul 2022 139,163 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel SPONGY (1.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure and impairing directional stability (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Front 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 7 Jun 2022 139,132 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 has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded FRONT TO BACK (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage likely to become detached (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Stop lamp(s) all missing (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 May 2021 130,008 miles

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

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

Fail 19 May 2021 129,986 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2020 122,494 miles

Nearside Rear 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 20 Mar 2020 122,478 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Pass 27 Mar 2019 113,974 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge WEARING ON INNER EDGE (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 13 Mar 2019 113,882 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge WEARING ON INNER EDGE (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 5 Mar 2018 109,007 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front seat belt receiver cover missing

Nearside Rear tyre perished and cut on inner edge

Fail 20 Feb 2018 109,004 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front seat belt receiver cover missing

Nearside Rear tyre perished and cut on inner edge

Pass 19 Jan 2017 109,000 miles

Engine management light on

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

Fail 10 Jan 2017 108,981 miles

Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute intermittent failure of indicators, suspect relay (1.4.A.2g)

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick pad wearing unevenly, metal to metal (3.5.1g)

Engine management light on

Nearside Front Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2015 101,315 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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 26 Nov 2015 101,315 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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)

Pass 30 Oct 2014 96,270 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2014 96,270 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2013 90,075 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2013 90,075 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2012 83,574 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)

Fail 13 Dec 2012 83,574 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)

Fail 3 Feb 2012 73,743 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 3 Feb 2012 73,743 miles
Pass 31 Jan 2011 62,718 miles

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

Fail 31 Jan 2011 62,718 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Pass 3 Dec 2009 60,732 miles
Pass 12 Dec 2008 55,242 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2007 48,450 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Dec 2007 48,394 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2006 41,168 miles
Fail 13 Dec 2006 41,167 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Dec 2005 31,144 miles

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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AF51 BYR is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle in Silver with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 AF51 BYR, 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 AF51 BYR?

You can check the full history of AF51 BYR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AF51 BYR registered?

AF51 BYR is a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 13 December 2001.

Is AF51 BYR safe to buy?

The MOT history for AF51 BYR shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AF51 BYR 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 AF51 BYR. 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.