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HKJ 508L

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

Grey Petrol 1584cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jun 2027
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

270 mi
Last recorded270 miles
Recorded on15 May 2026
Typical for 1973 Volkswagen Beetle46,746 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

RegistrationHKJ 508L
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1973
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,584cc

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

21 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 May 2026 270 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Steering idler has slight play

Pass 20 May 2025 270 miles

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

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

both rear tyres are perishing

Fail 20 May 2025 270 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

both rear tyres are perishing

Pass 31 May 2024 270 miles

Nearside Front tyre is perishing

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

Fail 31 May 2024 270 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front tyre is perishing

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

Pass 30 May 2023 270 miles

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

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

Fail 30 May 2023 270 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 27 May 2022 270 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front tyre is perishing

Nearside Rear tyre is perishing

Pass 3 Jun 2021 270 miles

Nearside Front tyre is perishing

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

Fail 2 Jun 2021 270 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front tyre is perishing

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

Pass 3 Jun 2020 271 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

osf nsf slight play torsion bar end

slight play in steering idler arm os

tyres perished

Fail 3 Jun 2020 270 miles

Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

osf nsf slight play torsion bar end

slight play in steering idler arm os

tyres perished

Pass 29 Mar 2019 207 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2018 270 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2017 270 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2016 270 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2015 270 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2014 270 miles

corrosion to rear chassis

slight play in steering

Fail 20 Mar 2014 270 miles

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

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

Corrosion to rear chassis

Slight play in steering

Pass 4 Feb 2013 270 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

dampness around steering damper

offside front tyre valve perished

slight corrosion to rear chassis

slight play in steering

Pass 7 Mar 2012 270 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak

corrosion to rear chassis/ subframe

rear brake imbalance high

slight play in steering

Pass 15 Mar 2011 244 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

corrosion to chassis rails

slight play in steering

Fail 15 Mar 2011 243 miles

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

corrosion to chassis rails

slight play in steering

Pass 12 Mar 2010 180 miles

advisories from previous test - 751951070047

Fail 12 Mar 2010 180 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Offside Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

nearside and offside chassis rails slightly corroded

slight misting of oil from steering damper

slight play in steering box mounting on axle beam

Pass 21 Mar 2009 181 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Strong smell of petrol but no leak found

Fail 20 Mar 2009 180 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Rear rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Rear rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Strong smell of petrol but no leak found

Pass 11 Apr 2008
Fail 20 Mar 2008

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 31 Mar 2007
Fail 29 Mar 2007

Offside Front Steering box insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Offside Front Steering locking device insecure (2.2.C.1g)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

Windscreen washer control missing (8.2.1a)

Pass 20 Feb 2006 21,011 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2006 20,998 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken (3.1.5)

some play in nearside front hub assembly

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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HKJ 508L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle in Grey with a 1,584cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

Across all 1973 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 46,746 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 HKJ 508L, 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 53 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of HKJ 508L?

You can check the full history of HKJ 508L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was HKJ 508L registered?

HKJ 508L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 1 February 1973.

Is HKJ 508L safe to buy?

The MOT history for HKJ 508L shows 33 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does HKJ 508L 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 HKJ 508L. 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.