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R470 DHW

1997 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Petrol 1590cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Aug 2026
Tests39 (20 pass, 19 fail)
Pass rate51.3%

Mileage

98,326 mi
Last recorded98,326 miles
Recorded on22 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Beetle51,989 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR470 DHW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,590cc

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

20 pass 19 fail
Pass 22 Aug 2025 98,326 miles
Fail 6 Aug 2025 98,318 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking and braking performance affected (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Jul 2024 97,567 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear drop link bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear tyre worn close to legal limit

Offside Rear Inner Fluid leak, but not excessive hub (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Wheel bearing slightly noisy both front and slight play both sides (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 19 Apr 2024 97,489 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Wheel bearing has slight play O/S,N/S (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Apr 2023 95,706 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 3 Apr 2023 95,706 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 14 Apr 2022 93,851 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2022 93,851 miles

Headlamp aim too high O/S,N/S (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Brake drum contaminated O/S,N/S (1.1.14 (b))

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

Rear Stop lamp(s) not working O/S,N/S (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 Apr 2021 91,896 miles

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Fail 7 Apr 2021 91,896 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Pass 24 Apr 2020 90,715 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2020 90,715 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking and braking performance affected O/S,N/S (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Apr 2019 89,434 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2019 89,434 miles

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

Fail 16 Apr 2019

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (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))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced CHASSIS & FLOOR (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Apr 2018 88,266 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2017 88,060 miles

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Fail 27 Nov 2017 88,060 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Pass 1 Dec 2016 87,017 miles

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive FLOOR CORRODED (2.4.A.3)

Fail 30 Nov 2016 87,017 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Stop lamp not working O/S,N/S (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive FLOOR CORRODED (2.4.A.3)

Pass 5 Nov 2015 86,290 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2015 86,290 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Side repeater excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Pass 14 Nov 2014 85,540 miles

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

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

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

nearside front tyre low edges

offside front tyre perished sidewall

Fail 14 Nov 2014 85,540 miles

Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

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

nearside front tyre low edges

offside front tyre perished sidewall

Pass 11 Dec 2013 84,322 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2013 84,322 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Pass 19 Nov 2012 83,652 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

o/s/f wiper worn

only 2 seat belts fitted in rear seat

some steering linkage play

Fail 15 Nov 2012 83,647 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

o/s/f wiper worn

only 2 seat belts fitted in rear seat

some steering linkage play

Fail 27 Oct 2012 83,619 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Oil leak

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

o/s/f tyre weathered

o/s/r and n/s/r exhaust casing corroded

some steering linkage play

Pass 1 Sep 2011 82,639 miles

Front to rear brake pipes and ferrules greased.

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Unusual drop links fitted to the rear.

Fail 30 Aug 2011 82,632 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Front to rear brake pipes and ferrules greased.

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Unusual drop links fitted to the rear.

Pass 26 Aug 2010 80,297 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

both inner sills heavly under sealed

front & rear brake pipe ferrules greased

front & rear brake pipes greased

unusal drop links ftted

Pass 14 Aug 2009 78,069 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2009 78,064 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose stretched (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal considerably higher than accelerater pedal.

Pass 28 Aug 2008 75,835 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2008 75,835 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 1 Sep 2007 73,719 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 25 Aug 2006 72,441 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2006 72,441 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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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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.

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R470 DHW is a 1997 Volkswagen Beetle in Silver with a 1,590cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 39 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.3%.

Across all 1997 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.8% with a typical mileage of 51,989 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 R470 DHW, 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 29 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 R470 DHW?

You can check the full history of R470 DHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R470 DHW registered?

R470 DHW is a 1997 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 23 September 1997.

Is R470 DHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R470 DHW shows 39 tests with a 51.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R470 DHW 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 R470 DHW. 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.