CarVerify

Free Car Check

PGU 78L

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

Beige Petrol 1584cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Oct 2021
Tests26 (14 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

27,875 mi
Last recorded27,875 miles
Recorded on21 Aug 2023
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

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

RegistrationPGU 78L
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1973
ColourBeige
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

14 pass 12 fail
Fail 21 Aug 2023 27,875 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor to body (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle. (5.2.3 (b))

Steering box has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 16 Oct 2020 27,458 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Oct 2020 27,442 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor pan has corrosion (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2019 22,551 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2019 22,536 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner and outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened suspension mounting bracket (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner and outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength central floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Oct 2018 18,062 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2018 18,058 miles

Driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen materially affected by an obstruction sunvisors insecure (3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Front Seat belt installation anchorage insecure (10.1 (d))

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

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt installation anchorage insecure (10.1 (d))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 13 Jan 2017 17,315 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2017 17,312 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick completely worn out (3.5.1g)

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

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened offside and nearside both too thin (3.5.1i)

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

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

Pass 29 Jan 2016 14,457 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2016 14,444 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5) DANGEROUS

Front brake discs thin

Light switch function intermittent.

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area repaired, but not inappropriately (2.4.A.3)

Tyre sizes mismatched front to rear

Pass 14 Jan 2015 9,297 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Oil leak

both rear tyers perished

Fail 13 Jan 2015 9,297 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Oil leak

both rear tyers perished

Fail 3 Dec 2014 9,297 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear 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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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)

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

nearside rear tyer perished

Pass 20 Dec 2013 7,384 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Dec 2013 7,355 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part (3.6.B.4a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Outer Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Fail 20 Dec 2012 6,637 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 20 Dec 2012 6,637 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2011 52,612 miles

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

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

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

Pass 30 Dec 2010 1,463 miles

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

slight corrosion in floor panels

slight corrosion nearside rear inner wing

slight movement in nearside and offside front steering joints / arms

slight oil leak from steering box

Pass 7 Jul 2009 98,158 miles
Fail 26 Jun 2009 98,158 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 27 Jun 2008 94,524 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 24 Jun 2008 94,469 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 24 May 2007 39,961 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2006 26,897 miles

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

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

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

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

PGU 78L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle in Beige with a 1,584cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.8%.

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 PGU 78L, 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 PGU 78L?

You can check the full history of PGU 78L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was PGU 78L registered?

PGU 78L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 28 March 1973.

Is PGU 78L safe to buy?

The MOT history for PGU 78L shows 26 tests with a 53.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does PGU 78L 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 PGU 78L. 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.