IsItAGoodCar
Official DVLA Record

2004 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Diesel · KW53 AFE

KW53 AFE

2004 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, diesel). First registered 23 Jan 2004. Recorded mileage 142,850 miles. MOT status: Failed.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
Year / Origin
2004 · Northampton
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Failed
Road Tax
—
Recorded Mileage
142,850 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
Diesel · 1.4L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Failed
No test records found
Tax Status
Check Tax
Click to check rates
Fuel Type
Diesel
Year
2004
Engine
1422cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The roadworthiness of this vehicle is currently uncertain due to a lapse in testing spanning nearly four years. The most recent entry from 21 September 2022 at 142,850 miles resulted in a failure with no specific defects listed in the record, which suggests an administrative oversight or a failure that was not rectified. While the vehicle passed its test in 2021, the pattern of failing three out of the last five tests indicates a reactive maintenance approach where repairs are only addressed during the MOT month rather than through preventative servicing to avoid failures. The vehicle has covered approximately 142,850 miles over 22 years, averaging roughly 6,500 miles per year. This figure is consistent with low annual usage for a car of this age, but the data shows significant gaps in activity. Between August 2020 and September 2021, the car covered over 16,000 miles in just thirteen months, followed by a period of relative inactivity where only 9,360 miles were recorded over the next 12 months. The lack of an MOT since September 2022 is a major red flag, as it provides no data on the structural integrity or mechanical health of the vehicle during its last three years of operation. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on the underbody for structural corrosion, as older Polos are prone to rust in the sills and floor pans. Given the history of intermittent failures, specific attention is required for the suspension bushes, control arms, and coil springs, which are common points of failure on this model. The buyer should also check for binding brake calipers and uneven tyre wear, as the record suggests the vehicle has not been maintained to a high standard between tests. Without a recent MOT certificate, the current state of the exhaust system and drivetrain components remains entirely unknown.
Used Car Buyer Alert1 in 3 UK cars has hidden active finance or write-off history

Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.

£20,000 Experian Guarantee· 80+ check points · Instant results

KW53 AFE Key Findings

  • 24 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT failed on 21/09/2022
  • 142,850 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 8 historical MOT failures
  • 22 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (15 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

KW53 AFE MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Oct 2026, 08:33
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

24 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Volkswagen Polo (KW53 AFE) between January 2007 and September 2022.

The record contains 16 passes and 8 failures.

The most recent test on 21 September 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (15 issues), Tyres (12 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Brakes (8 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 21 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn offside and nearside (D bush) (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

KW53 AFE Mileage History

  1. 11/01/200722,185 mi
  2. 22/01/200830,588 mi+8,403 mi
  3. 22/01/200830,588 mi
  4. 26/01/200939,293 mi+8,705 mi
  5. 25/01/201048,542 mi+9,249 mi
  6. 25/01/201048,542 mi
  7. 13/01/201157,804 mi+9,262 mi
  8. 19/01/201267,352 mi+9,548 mi
  9. 19/01/201267,353 mi+1 mi
  10. 22/10/201271,967 mi+4,614 mi
  11. 13/09/201377,173 mi+5,206 mi
  12. 02/09/201478,944 mi+1,771 mi
  13. 02/09/201478,944 mi
  14. 01/09/201581,540 mi+2,596 mi
  15. 02/09/201581,545 mi+5 mi
  16. 25/08/201683,263 mi+1,718 mi
  17. 14/09/201783,464 mi+201 mi
  18. 30/08/201891,808 mi+8,344 mi
  19. 06/09/2019107,248 mi+15,440 mi
  20. 24/08/2020117,555 mi+10,307 mi
  21. 25/08/2020117,555 mi
  22. 08/09/2021133,218 mi+15,663 mi
  23. 28/09/2021133,490 mi+272 mi
  24. 21/09/2022142,850 mi+9,360 mi

Average of roughly 7,689 miles per year across 24 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
30
/ 100 · Poor
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Poor

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

MOT Expired or Failed
Tax Status Unknown
Poor MOT pass rate (0%)
Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

Comprehensive register checks across Experian, MIAFTR, Police National Computer, and DVLA records.

CHECK REQUIRED

OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

Checks Experian asset registers to identify any active PCP, HP, or loan agreements.

Experian Asset Register: [Query Required]
Agreements & Lender Search: [Check to Reveal]
Experian Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

Checks the UK insurance total loss register for Category A, B, S, or N write-offs.

MIAFTR Insurance Database: [Query Required]
Write-Off Category & Date: [Check to Reveal]
MIAFTR Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

Searches the UK Police National Computer (PNC) for active stolen vehicle reports.

Police National Computer: [Query Required]
Active Stolen Marker Search: [Check to Reveal]
Police Computer:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

Cross-checks major UK salvage databases to identify if this vehicle has ever been listed in a salvage auction.

Salvage Auction Registries: [Query Required]
Trade Auction Disposal Lots: [Check to Reveal]
Salvage Registries:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

Checks vehicle registration records to verify if this vehicle was imported from abroad.

Import & Prior VRM Register: [Query Required]
Country of Origin Audit: [Check to Reveal]
Import Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

Checks whether the vehicle has been marked for permanent or temporary export from the UK.

Customs & Export Register: [Query Required]
UK Road Eligibility Marker: [Check to Reveal]
Export Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

Validates whether the car has been surrendered or notified as scrapped to an Authorized Treatment Facility.

Scrappage & ATF Register: [Query Required]
Disposal Notification Check: [Check to Reveal]
Scrappage Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

Confirms whether a statutory Certificate of Destruction has been issued against this chassis.

Certificate of Destruction Register: [Query Required]
Statutory Scrapping Decrees: [Check to Reveal]
Destruction Register:QUERY REQUIRED
CHECK REQUIRED

V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

Audits number of registered keepers and latest V5C logbook issue date.

DVLA Logbook Issue Date: [Query Required]
Previous Keepers Count: [Check to Reveal]
DVLA Keeper Master:QUERY REQUIRED
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Avoid an Average £4,200 Loss on Undisclosed Vehicle Risks

Free DVLA records only confirm basic tax and MOT roadworthiness. 1 in 3 UK cars has hidden PCP/HP finance, insurance write-off categories, or unrecorded salvage history. Run the full check across all 9 registers with £20,000 Experian data guarantee protection.

HPI Check
£19.99
Single vehicle check
carVertical
£37.99
Single report
RAC Check
£14.99
Standard history
BEST VALUE
IsItAGoodCar
£8.99
Save over 55%
Instant on-screen report Official PDF emailed £20k Experian guarantee One-off, no subscription Apple Pay / Google Pay / cards

Data provided by Experian