CarVerify

Free Car Check

EM51 KAR

2002 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1596cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Apr 2027
Tests32 (22 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

120,650 mi
Last recorded120,650 miles
Recorded on30 Apr 2026
Typical for 2002 Volkswagen Beetle77,198 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

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

RegistrationEM51 KAR
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2002
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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

22 pass 10 fail
Pass 30 Apr 2026 120,650 miles

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

Nearside Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 4 Mar 2025 120,386 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 4 Mar 2025 120,384 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 5 Mar 2024 119,402 miles

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both side sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Feb 2024 119,386 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both side sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Feb 2023 117,014 miles

Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 27 Feb 2023 117,014 miles

Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 11 Feb 2022 112,952 miles

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 12 Feb 2021 110,675 miles

Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

exhaust pipe corroded

Pass 13 Jan 2020 108,358 miles

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

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Both rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear exhaust pipe and clamp corroded

Fail 7 Jan 2020 108,358 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Both front worn and perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Both rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded Both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear exhaust pipe and clamp corroded

Pass 13 Nov 2018 105,746 miles

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Low on edges (5.2.3 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Low outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 9 Nov 2018 105,746 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Low on edges (5.2.3 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Low outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 19 Apr 2018 102,584 miles

Front Tyres wearing outer edges

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded Main feed (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

coil spring corroded Front and rear (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 25 Apr 2017 95,592 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamps corroded (7.1.2)

Front coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded main feed (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear centre stop lamp not working

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 25 Apr 2017 95,592 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear centre stop lamp not working

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamps corroded (7.1.2)

Front coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded main feed (3.6.B.2c)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 22 Apr 2016 87,596 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

engine management light iluminated

items removed from drivers view prior to test

nearside and offside rear brake pipes slightly deteriorated

offside and nearside front brake pipes slightly deteriorated

Pass 24 Apr 2015 80,136 miles

Corrosion to both rear and main feed brake pipes

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear exhaust hanger bracket corroded

Fail 24 Apr 2015 80,136 miles

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

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

Corrosion to both rear and main feed brake pipes

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Rear exhaust hanger bracket corroded

Pass 25 Apr 2014 73,446 miles

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 25 Apr 2014 73,445 miles

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 5 Apr 2013 65,417 miles

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 5 Apr 2013 65,417 miles

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 2 Apr 2012 54,549 miles

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

Fail 2 Apr 2012 54,547 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

Pass 23 May 2011 45,961 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2011 45,373 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2010 38,556 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2009 31,321 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 19 Apr 2008 25,887 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2007 20,506 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2006 16,495 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

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

EM51 KAR is a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

Across all 2002 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.1% with a typical mileage of 77,198 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 EM51 KAR, 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 24 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of EM51 KAR?

You can check the full history of EM51 KAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was EM51 KAR registered?

EM51 KAR is a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 1 May 2002.

Is EM51 KAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for EM51 KAR shows 32 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does EM51 KAR 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 EM51 KAR. 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.