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COB 981K

1972 Volkswagen Bettle

White Petrol 1192cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jan 2027
Tests12 (7 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

5,851 mi
Last recorded5,851 miles
Recorded on19 Jan 2026
Typical for 1972 Volkswagen Bettle46,043 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationCOB 981K
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBettle
Year1972
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,192cc

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

7 pass 5 fail
Pass 19 Jan 2026 5,851 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2013 923 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2013 923 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2013 915 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

Nearside Front passenger door hinge deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.B.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Upper Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1) DANGEROUS

Bonnet retaining device excessively deteriorated (8.4.2) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component locking device missing (3.5.1l) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Steering system lock to lock check exposes a seriously damaged brake hose (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Inner Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Mechanical brake component locking device missing (3.5.1l) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Steering system lock to lock check exposes a seriously damaged brake hose (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Offside Inner Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

advise nearside and offside rear shock does not appear to be damping,

advise offside running board insecure

Pass 15 Apr 2011 91,243 miles

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 13 Apr 2011 91,237 miles

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

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 22 Apr 2010 86,347 miles
Fail 15 Apr 2010 86,347 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Nearside Front Lower Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Lower Torsion bar attachment bracket corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.E.4c) DANGEROUS

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

Nearside rear brake grabbing severely (3.7.A.5b) DANGEROUS

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Torsion bar attachment bracket corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.E.4c) DANGEROUS

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 10 Apr 2009 80,489 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

Pass 18 Dec 2007 77,328 miles

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 13 Dec 2007 77,328 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 21 Jul 2006 68,299 miles

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

Offside Front Upper Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Bettle?

Based on 1,648 MOT tests across 194 vehicles.

68.1%
Pass Rate
697
Miles/Year
60
Year Lifespan
194
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 139
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 115
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 74
position lamp(s) not working 68
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 65
Full Volkswagen Bettle reliability report

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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.

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COB 981K is a 1972 Volkswagen Bettle in White with a 1,192cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 12 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 1972 Volkswagen Bettle models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 46,043 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 Bettle fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 139 recorded failures. If you're considering buying COB 981K, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Bettle typically stays on UK roads for around 60 years. At 54 years old, this Volkswagen Bettle is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of COB 981K?

You can check the full history of COB 981K by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was COB 981K registered?

COB 981K is a 1972 Volkswagen Bettle, first registered on 10 February 1972.

Is COB 981K safe to buy?

The MOT history for COB 981K shows 12 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does COB 981K 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 COB 981K. 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.