MOT performance
2003 Volkswagen Beetle: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 5,711 MOT tests on 2003-registered Volkswagen Beetles in 2023–2024 (on average 19.9 years old at test, median 104,689 miles), 48.3% passed first time, 9.9 points lower than the Volkswagen Beetle overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2003 Volkswagen Beetles failed 17% more often than comparable cars.
5,711 MOT tests on 3,170 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 48.3% | ±1.3 pts (95%), n = 5,711 |
| All Volkswagen Beetles | 58.2% | n = 91,710 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.17× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 10.3% | n = 5,711 |
| Average age at test | 19.9 years | n = 5,711 |
Where 2003 Volkswagen Beetles fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 28.2% | +27% |
| Suspension | 18.5% | +11% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.9% | +91% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 13.1% | +41% |
| Brakes | 12.9% | -7% |
| Driver's view of the road | 8.6% | +10% |
| Steering | 8.3% | +97% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 7.6% | +149% |
| Tyres | 7.2% | +10% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 1.0% | +28% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | -31% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | Same |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.92% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.95% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.39% |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 5.88% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 5.85% |
Check a specific 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.