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ODR 286J

1971 Volkswagen Beetle

Purple Petrol 1300cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Sep 2026
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

31,761 mi
Last recorded31,761 miles
Recorded on8 Sep 2025
Typical for 1971 Volkswagen Beetle46,446 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

RegistrationODR 286J
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1971
ColourPurple
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,300cc

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 8 Sep 2025 31,761 miles

under body corrosion

Fail 28 Aug 2025 31,759 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Position lamp showing white light to the rear (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside 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))

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

under body corrosion

Pass 9 Aug 2024 31,756 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2024 31,755 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced body support plate corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 Aug 2023 31,748 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

nearside and offside front floors corroded

nearside and offside rear floors corroded

Pass 23 Sep 2022 31,737 miles

some minor areas of corrosion to underside

Pass 2 Sep 2021 29,987 miles

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

Offside Rear Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

Pass 1 Oct 2020 29,318 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured lens discoloured all so side and brake (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 17 Sep 2020 29,317 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured lens discoloured all so side and brake (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 17 Sep 2020 84,507 miles
Pass 14 Oct 2019 27,784 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Oct 2018 25,247 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2017 21,297 miles

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

Fail 3 Jul 2017 21,297 miles

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

Steering lock stop fractured and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Pass 30 Jun 2016 21,297 miles
Fail 3 May 2016 21,240 miles

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

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion wheel arch (6.1.C.1)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Pass 13 May 2015 18,209 miles
Fail 12 May 2015 18,206 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 1 May 2014 11,741 miles

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

Offside front tyre sidewall slightly perrished

Offside indicator switch has to be carefully positioned for indicator to work!

Unable to open offside front window

Fail 24 Apr 2014 11,741 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete (3.3.A.1b)

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside front tyre sidewall slightly perrished

Offside indicator switch has to be carefully positioned for indicator to work!

Unable to open offside front window

Pass 13 May 2013 10,408 miles

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

Fail 27 Apr 2013 10,372 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp obscured more than 50% (1.2.1c)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front 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)

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

Fail 28 Apr 2012 9,198 miles

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

Pass 28 Apr 2012 9,198 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2011 8,500 miles
Fail 11 Feb 2011 8,498 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Pass 1 Feb 2010 7,645 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2010 7,621 miles

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

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

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

Battery insecure

Front bumper not fitted

Oil leak

Rear bumper not fitted

Pass 3 Dec 2008 5,888 miles
Pass 19 Nov 2007 5,878 miles

Nearside Front Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Pass 28 Nov 2006 5,869 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2005 5,863 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Nov 2005 5,859 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Front front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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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ODR 286J is a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle in Purple with a 1,300cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

Across all 1971 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.0% with a typical mileage of 46,446 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 ODR 286J, 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 55 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 ODR 286J?

You can check the full history of ODR 286J by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ODR 286J registered?

ODR 286J is a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 28 June 1971.

Is ODR 286J safe to buy?

The MOT history for ODR 286J 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 ODR 286J 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 ODR 286J. 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.