CarVerify

Free Car Check

ABW 226L

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

Black Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Aug 2026
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

45,969 mi
Last recorded45,969 miles
Recorded on21 Aug 2025
Typical for 1973 Volkswagen Beetle46,746 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationABW 226L
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1973
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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 8 fail
Pass 21 Aug 2025 45,969 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both (5.1.3 (a) (i))

brake pedal slightly spongey

underbody covered in bitumen

Pass 8 Aug 2024 45,967 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both (5.1.3 (a) (i))

underbody coated in bitumen

Pass 25 Jul 2023 45,869 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Jul 2023 45,868 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Aug 2022 45,742 miles

Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both sides (5.3.2 (c))

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

UnderBody Coated in Bitumen

Fail 8 Aug 2022 45,740 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush Both sides (5.3.2 (c))

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

UnderBody Coated in Bitumen

Pass 13 Aug 2021 45,387 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

under body heavily coated in bitumen

Fail 12 Aug 2021 45,383 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking and braking performance affected (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both sides (5.1.3 (a) (i))

under body heavily coated in bitumen

Pass 11 Jun 2020 45,371 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both (5.3.2 (c))

Wheel bearing has slight play all wheel bearings (5.1.3 (a) (i))

slight play in nearside front suspension top mounting

steering damper rubber bush deteriorated

Fail 3 Jun 2020 45,350 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both (5.3.2 (c))

Wheel bearing has slight play all wheel bearings (5.1.3 (a) (i))

slight play in nearside front suspension top mounting

steering damper rubber bush deteriorated

Pass 15 Apr 2019 44,096 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 49% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Wheel bearing has slight play both nearside and offside rear (5.1.3 (a) (i))

underneath heavily coated in bitumen

Pass 23 Apr 2018 43,004 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak ()

complete underneath and brake pipes heavily coated in bitumen

nearside rear tyre wearing unevenly on inner shoulder

Pass 10 Apr 2017 40,984 miles

Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak ()

Rear wheel bearing has slight play both sides (2.6.2)

Track rod end ball joint has slight play both sides (2.2.B.1f)

brake pipes coated in grease

slight play in both front suspension top mountings

Pass 12 Apr 2016 38,026 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides all bushes (2.7.4)

all brake pipes coated in grease

oil leak

slight play both front suspension top mountings

steering slightly rough on lock to lock

Fail 11 Apr 2016 38,026 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 53% (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush both sides all bushes (2.7.4)

all brake pipes coated in grease

nail in nearside rear tyre

oil leak

slight play both front suspension top mountings

steering slightly rough on lock to lock

Pass 27 Apr 2015 36,698 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

all brake pipes coated in grease

Pass 24 Apr 2014 35,166 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

all underside of car covered in underseal and grease

brake pipes covered in grease and underseal

Fail 24 Apr 2014 35,165 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

all underside of car covered in underseal and grease

brake pipes covered in grease and underseal

Pass 24 Apr 2013 34,582 miles

Oil leak

Pass 23 Apr 2012 32,049 miles
Pass 19 Apr 2011 30,575 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2010 28,033 miles

Oil leak

n/s rear brake sticking slightly

sligt signs of wear in steering box

Pass 5 May 2009 26,438 miles

Oil leak

Fail 30 Apr 2009 26,357 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

Pass 18 Apr 2008 23,118 miles

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

small split in n/s wiper

Pass 26 Apr 2007 21,980 miles

slight signs of wear in steering damper bush

Pass 28 Apr 2006 21,360 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2006 21,356 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1)

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

fuel pipes corroded

slight play in o/s steering drag link

slight play in steering damper fixing point

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

ABW 226L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle in Black with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

Across all 1973 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 46,746 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 ABW 226L, 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 53 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of ABW 226L?

You can check the full history of ABW 226L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ABW 226L registered?

ABW 226L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 12 October 1973.

Is ABW 226L safe to buy?

The MOT history for ABW 226L shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ABW 226L 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 ABW 226L. 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.