CarVerify

Free Car Check

ALK 498S

1978 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Blue Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Aug 2026
Tests23 (14 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate60.9%

Mileage

30,031 mi
Last recorded30,031 miles
Recorded on9 Aug 2025
Typical for 1978 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia30,992 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

RegistrationALK 498S
MakeVolkswagen
ModelKarmann Ghia
Year1978
ColourBlue
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

14 pass 9 fail
Pass 9 Aug 2025 30,031 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2024 29,760 miles
Fail 26 Jun 2024 29,760 miles

Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams (4.1.3 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 22 Jun 2023 29,407 miles

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

Pass 21 Jun 2022 28,117 miles

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Sep 2019 27,853 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2019 27,853 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect kick up wrong way (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

slight oil leak rear diff

Fail 6 May 2017 38,239 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Headlamp not working on main beam both (1.7.5a)

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Front corrosion to both inner wings

Pass 9 May 2016 37,582 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2016 37,559 miles

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 15 Apr 2015 37,233 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2015 37,233 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Pass 7 Apr 2014 32,056 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2014 32,056 miles

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 23 Apr 2013 36,352 miles

Oil leak

Fail 10 Apr 2013 36,352 miles

Indicator tell tale inoperative (1.4.A.2a)

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Pass 4 May 2012 26,689 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2012 29,686 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 17 Mar 2011 28,182 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2010 20,746 miles

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 23 Mar 2009 16,185 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 23 Mar 2009 16,185 miles

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Apr 2008 13,920 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia?

Based on 10,300 MOT tests across 1,364 vehicles.

73.3%
Pass Rate
390
Miles/Year
66
Year Lifespan
1,364
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 786
position lamp(s) not working 340
Horn not working 337
Stop lamp not working 271
Headlamp not working on main beam 265
Full Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 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

ALK 498S is a 1978 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in Blue with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.9%.

Across all 1978 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 30,992 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 Karmann Ghia fails its MOT is windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, accounting for 786 recorded failures. If you're considering buying ALK 498S, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia typically stays on UK roads for around 66 years. At 48 years old, this Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of ALK 498S?

You can check the full history of ALK 498S by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ALK 498S registered?

ALK 498S is a 1978 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, first registered on 26 April 1978.

Is ALK 498S safe to buy?

The MOT history for ALK 498S shows 23 tests with a 60.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ALK 498S 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 ALK 498S. 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.