CarVerify

Free Car Check

PHJ 173K

1990 Volkswagen Beetle

Blue Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Jul 2017
Tests15 (9 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

67,517 mi
Last recorded67,517 miles
Recorded on9 Jul 2016
Typical for 1990 Volkswagen Beetle47,333 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

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

RegistrationPHJ 173K
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1990
ColourBlue
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

9 pass 6 fail
Pass 9 Jul 2016 67,517 miles

Front brake pipes rusty

Headlamps aims not very clear.

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

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

Step ins rusty

Fail 28 Jun 2016 67,496 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Electrical wiring insecure Number plate light (1.9.2a)

Electrical wiring insecure Under rear seat (1.9.2a)

Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

Nearside Front Electrical wiring insecure Horn wires (1.9.2a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

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

Offside Front suspension locking device ineffective (2.5.A.4)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Front brake pipes rusty

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

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

Step ins rusty

Pass 17 Jun 2013

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

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

both rear tyres slightly perished

front seat belt mountings have been modified

n/s/f seat locking mechanism is worn

n/s/r chassis getting rusty close to rear axle

o/s/f seat belt slow to retract

o/s/f seat locking mechanism is worn

o/s/f suspension top has restricted free movent

o/s/r chassis has repair of low standard close to rear axle

oil leak from engine

Pass 14 Jun 2012 66,087 miles

Brake pipe leading to offside rear getting rusty

Nearside front brake pipe getting rusty

Nearside rear chassis by axle mount getting rusty

Offside front suspension top mount stiff to turn

Offside rear chassis by axle mount has been repaired to a low standerd

Offside rear tyre on 2.5mm

Passenger seat locking mechanism worn

Fail 12 Jun 2012 66,087 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Brake pipe leading to offside rear getting rusty

Nearside front brake pipe getting rusty

Nearside rear chassis by axle mount getting rusty

Offside front suspension top mount stiff to turn

Offside rear chassis by axle mount has been repaired to a low standerd

Offside rear tyre on 2.5mm

Passenger seat locking mechanism worn

Pass 22 Jun 2011 65,607 miles

advise both rear tyres perished

advise knock from steering box

advise n/s/r wheel bearing slight play

Fail 16 Jun 2011 65,607 miles

Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

advise both rear tyres perished

advise knock from steering box

advise n/s/r wheel bearing slight play

Pass 27 Jul 2010 64,886 miles

advise slight play from steering box

Fail 20 Jul 2010 64,886 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

advise oil leak from rocker cover gaskets

advise slight play from steering box

Pass 30 Jul 2009 62,019 miles

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

advise both front outer anti roll bar bushs perished

advise slight play in both rear wheel bearings

advise slight play in n/s/f wheel bearing

Fail 20 Jul 2009 62,019 miles

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

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

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

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

advise both front outer anti roll bar bushs perished

advise both rear tyres perished

advise slight play in both rear wheel bearings

advise slight play in n/s/f wheel bearing

Pass 17 Jul 2008 57,436 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

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

advise slight lift in n/s inner track rod end

Pass 30 Jul 2007 56,833 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2006 55,929 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Starting to rust in places

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

offside front tyre deteriorating/cracking and also getting close to limits

Fail 5 Jun 2006 55,929 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

offside front tyre deteriorating/cracking and also getting close to limits

starting to rust in places

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

PHJ 173K is a 1990 Volkswagen Beetle in Blue with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1990 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.5% with a typical mileage of 47,333 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 PHJ 173K, 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 36 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of PHJ 173K?

You can check the full history of PHJ 173K by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was PHJ 173K registered?

PHJ 173K is a 1990 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 25 May 1990.

Is PHJ 173K safe to buy?

The MOT history for PHJ 173K 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 PHJ 173K 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 PHJ 173K. 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.