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FBE 180L

1973 Volkswagen Motor Caravan

Green Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Dec 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

51,065 mi
Last recorded51,065 miles
Recorded on12 Dec 2025
Typical for 1973 Volkswagen Motor Caravan51,092 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

RegistrationFBE 180L
MakeVolkswagen
ModelMotor Caravan
Year1973
ColourGreen
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 12 Dec 2025 51,065 miles

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 23 Aug 2024 50,062 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2024 50,059 miles

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 18 Aug 2023 48,665 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

extensive welding throughout vehicle

Pass 8 Apr 2022 47,786 miles

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

extensive welding through out vehicle

Fail 30 Mar 2022 47,769 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis near axle mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

extensive welding through out vehicle

Pass 5 Jan 2021 47,390 miles

Indicator switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

extensive welding throughout vehicle

Fail 23 Nov 2020 47,383 miles

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

Nearside Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

extensive welding throughout vehicle

Indicator switch insecure (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Jun 2019 45,400 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floors ect (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 28 May 2019 45,396 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floors ect (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 4 Jun 2018 43,160 miles

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Fail 18 May 2018 43,142 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 10 May 2017 42,269 miles

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

offside and nearside outer cv boots deteriorated

various areas of cassis and under body welded and may not be as strong as original

Pass 22 Apr 2016 41,078 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

both headlights,beam intensity slightly deteriorated.

rear c/v joint boots deteriorated offside and nearside.

various areas of underbody and chassis have had plated repairs and may not be as strong as original.

Pass 1 May 2015 40,162 miles

various areas of flooring and chassis have been plated/repaired and may not be as strong as original.

Fail 18 Apr 2015 40,145 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

various areas of flooring and chassis have been plated/repaired and may not be as strong as original.

Pass 17 May 2014 38,770 miles
Fail 3 May 2014 38,698 miles

Front Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 29 Apr 2013 37,404 miles

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

various areas of chassis and inner wings have had extensive plated repair and may not be as strong as original.

Pass 30 Apr 2012 36,777 miles
Pass 5 May 2011 35,256 miles

Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Track rod end slightly corroded but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Offside rear drive shaft gaiter leaking grease Extensive welding repairs to chassis and underbody Offside rear inner sill not welded all round at back but looks like it has been welded from inside Corrosion to tubular rear cross member bt not holed

Fail 20 Apr 2011 35,239 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

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

Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Track rod end slightly corroded but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Offside rear drive shaft gaiter leaking grease Extensive welding repairs to chassis and underbody Offside rear inner sill not welded all round at back but looks like it has been welded from inside Corrosion to tubular rear cross member bt not holed

Pass 12 May 2010 34,172 miles

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

most of the chassis has been welded

Fail 1 May 2010 34,172 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

most of the chassis has been welded

Pass 8 May 2009 31,986 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2008 31,772 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 12 Mar 2008 31,772 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2007 29,946 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2006 28,146 miles

bodywork and chassis has surface corrosion throughout

bodywork and chassis has welding repairs throughout

Fail 10 Apr 2006 28,079 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Motor Caravan?

Based on 109,687 MOT tests across 8,425 vehicles.

67.5%
Pass Rate
1,075
Miles/Year
56
Year Lifespan
8,425
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 8,888
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 8,044
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,769
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 4,156
position lamp(s) not working 3,700
Full Volkswagen Motor Caravan reliability report

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FBE 180L is a 1973 Volkswagen Motor Caravan in Green with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1973 Volkswagen Motor Caravan models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 51,092 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 Motor Caravan fails its MOT is windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, accounting for 8,888 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FBE 180L, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Motor Caravan typically stays on UK roads for around 56 years. At 53 years old, this Volkswagen Motor Caravan is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FBE 180L?

You can check the full history of FBE 180L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FBE 180L registered?

FBE 180L is a 1973 Volkswagen Motor Caravan, first registered on 8 March 1973.

Is FBE 180L safe to buy?

The MOT history for FBE 180L shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FBE 180L 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 FBE 180L. 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.