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C479 RFE

1986 Volkswagen Beetle

Blue Petrol 1285cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Oct 2026
Tests20 (11 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate55%

Mileage

98,300 mi
Last recorded98,300 miles
Recorded on24 Oct 2025
Typical for 1986 Volkswagen Beetle48,532 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC479 RFE
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1986
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,285cc

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

11 pass 9 fail
Pass 24 Oct 2025 98,300 miles

Underside covered in underseal

Fail 22 Oct 2025 98,299 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Underside covered in underseal

Fail 29 Sep 2025 98,296 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Central Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength x3 (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel all brakes (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive ever wear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Apr 2023 97,855 miles

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

Nearside Front drivers sear runner worn

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

spare wheel bay corroded

Fail 30 Mar 2023 97,854 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp does not face the rear (4.5.4 (a))

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

Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated (2.2.2 (c))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front drivers sear runner worn

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

spare wheel bay corroded

Pass 1 Apr 2022 90,772 miles

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

Nearside Front drivers sear runner worn

Fail 29 Mar 2022 90,771 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Fuel hose leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front drivers sear runner worn

Pass 16 Feb 2021 84,468 miles

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

extensive underbody corrosion and repairs

Fail 21 Jan 2021 84,425 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel Brakes need adjustment (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Front frame head within mounting area of front subframe, bottom plate and on the side (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Windscreen washer not working Has water, can hear motor (3.5 (a))

Hole in underside of drivers side heater Chanel at very front

Horn a little weak

Manufactured 31-12-1986 (checked with vw)

Nearside Dip beam a little weak

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge @2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge <3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Underside heavily sealed

Pass 27 Jul 2019 80,592 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 25 Jul 2019 80,560 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 24 Nov 2018 79,308 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Body component corroded and likely to cause injury wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Steering column flexible coupling is slightly deteriorated (2.2.2 (c))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Offside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

Pass 10 May 2011 76,158 miles
Fail 6 May 2011 76,146 miles

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Pass 4 May 2010 70,138 miles

Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

corossion to nearside front inner wheel arch only just out of 30cm requirement of brake pedal mount

slight corossion to offside front inner wheel arch

Fail 4 May 2010 70,138 miles

Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

corossion to nearside front inner wheel arch only just out of 30cm requirement of brake pedal mount

slight corossion to offside front inner wheel arch

Pass 21 Apr 2009 64,844 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2008 58,562 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)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 11 Apr 2007 53,073 miles
Pass 3 May 2006 51,390 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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C479 RFE is a 1986 Volkswagen Beetle in Blue with a 1,285cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55%.

Across all 1986 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.1% with a typical mileage of 48,532 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 C479 RFE, 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 40 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C479 RFE?

You can check the full history of C479 RFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C479 RFE registered?

C479 RFE is a 1986 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C479 RFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for C479 RFE shows 20 tests with a 55% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C479 RFE 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 C479 RFE. 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.