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R47 AOU

1997 Volkswagen Beetle

Blue Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Jun 2026
Tests36 (19 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate52.8%

Mileage

78,560 mi
Last recorded78,560 miles
Recorded on19 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Beetle51,989 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR47 AOU
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1997
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

19 pass 17 fail
Fail 19 Jun 2026 78,560 miles

Emissions unable to be completed Due to engine oil leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn Clamp broken (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail (1.1.12 (f) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fuel cap seal cracked

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 20 Jun 2025 75,705 miles

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

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

Fail 21 May 2025 75,704 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 30 May 2024 71,553 miles
Fail 20 May 2024 71,553 miles

Emissions unable to be completed Due to oil leak emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 27 Mar 2024 71,442 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Hole within 30cm of rear subframe mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Exhaust has two large holes in system and leaking from a clamp also (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 27 Mar 2023 65,804 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 24 Mar 2023 65,801 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 4 Mar 2022 57,595 miles
Pass 15 Mar 2021 52,534 miles

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material top pipe from master cylinder (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy Both (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 15 Mar 2021 52,534 miles

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

Nearside Front Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material top pipe from master cylinder (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy Both (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 30 Mar 2020 49,070 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2019 42,364 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2018 35,214 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2018 35,214 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 29 Mar 2017 29,403 miles
Fail 29 Mar 2017 29,403 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 31 Aug 2016 29,340 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2016 29,340 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Fail 22 Jul 2015 29,180 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2015 29,180 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2014 28,088 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 18 Jul 2014 28,088 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 23 May 2013 27,177 miles
Pass 4 May 2012 26,003 miles
Pass 17 May 2011 15,461 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Oil leak

n/s/r brake damp

Fail 4 May 2011 15,461 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Oil leak

n/s/r brake damp

Fail 7 Mar 2011 15,440 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Mar 2010 97,801 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 5 Mar 2010 97,800 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 10 Mar 2009 75,232 miles
Fail 2 Mar 2009 74,517 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

tyre whitewalls deteriorated-all tyres

Pass 10 Mar 2008 63,930 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2008 63,918 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Pass 28 Feb 2007 53,128 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

o/s/f wiper blade slightly split

Fail 31 Jan 2007 52,906 miles

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

O/S wiper blade slightly split

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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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R47 AOU is a 1997 Volkswagen Beetle in Blue with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.8%.

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 R47 AOU, 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 R47 AOU?

You can check the full history of R47 AOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R47 AOU registered?

R47 AOU is a 1997 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 5 December 1997.

Is R47 AOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R47 AOU shows 36 tests with a 52.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R47 AOU 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 R47 AOU. 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.