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OFW 52M

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

Yellow Petrol 1200cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires27 May 2026
Tests15 (9 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

75,650 mi
Last recorded75,650 miles
Recorded on28 May 2025
Typical for 1973 Volkswagen Beetle46,746 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationOFW 52M
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1973
ColourYellow
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,200cc

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

9 pass 6 fail
Pass 28 May 2025 75,650 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Fail 14 May 2025 75,650 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective sealing ruber split (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Headlamp not working on dipped beam offside and nearside (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Headlamp not working on main beam offside and nearside (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor in 2 places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch to floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 73% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Driver's seat moving inadvertently (6.2.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake valve leaking such that brake functionality is affected wheel cylinder (1.1.7 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (a))

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps (4.1.3 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 26 Jun 2019 75,333 miles

front steering have permissible play in steering joints

Pass 21 Jun 2018 75,105 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2018 75,078 miles

Front All direction indicators not working and rear (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 21 Jun 2017 74,921 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 17 Jun 2017 74,898 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 7 Jun 2016 74,557 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2015 74,226 miles

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

slight oil leak

Fail 23 May 2015 74,148 miles

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

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

Pass 15 May 2014 73,818 miles

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

Pass 28 Jun 2013 73,743 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2006 73,553 miles
Fail 24 Nov 2006 73,553 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Fail 1 Nov 2006 73,543 miles

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

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

brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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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OFW 52M is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle in Yellow with a 1,200cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 OFW 52M, 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 OFW 52M?

You can check the full history of OFW 52M by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was OFW 52M registered?

OFW 52M is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 1 December 1973.

Is OFW 52M safe to buy?

The MOT history for OFW 52M shows 15 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does OFW 52M 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 OFW 52M. 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.