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SAB 326L

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

Green Petrol 1200cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Feb 2027
Tests26 (14 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

37,949 mi
Last recorded37,949 miles
Recorded on16 Jan 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSAB 326L
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1973
ColourGreen
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

14 pass 12 fail
Pass 16 Jan 2026 37,949 miles

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

Pass 3 Jan 2025 37,315 miles

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

Pass 2 Feb 2024 36,178 miles
Pass 21 Jan 2023 34,969 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2016 28,787 miles

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

a lot of welding done on underside

oil leak

play in front seat runners

slight play in top colume bush

Fail 30 Jul 2016 28,495 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Front seats have play in runners

oil leak

slight play in top colume bush

Pass 31 Jul 2015 22,207 miles

near side rear brake backing plate damp

near side rear jacking point rusty and holed

off side front seat belt runner worn badly

top steering colume has slight play

Fail 21 Jul 2015 21,938 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

near side rear brake backing plate damp

near side rear jacking point rusty and holed

off side front seat belt runner worn badly

top steering colume has slight play

Pass 10 Jul 2014 19,274 miles

drivers seat runner worn badly

rust in both rear wheel arches

slight exhaust leak

Fail 26 Jun 2014 19,257 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.3.A.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

drivers seat runner worn badly

rust in both rear wheel arches

slight exhaust leak

Pass 11 Jul 2013 18,267 miles

o/s/f tyre perishing

n/s/f tyre perishing

n/s/r tyre perishing

Fail 10 Jul 2013 18,267 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

n/s/f tyre perishing

n/s/r tyre perishing

o/s/f tyre perishing

Pass 12 Jul 2012 17,612 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

slight play from steering arm from box

Fail 2 Jul 2012 17,612 miles

Bonnet retaining device insecure (8.4.2)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure (1.4.A.2b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

slight play from steering arm from box

Pass 28 Jul 2011 17,216 miles

o/s/f anti roll bar rubber bush bracket partly broken .

Fail 8 Jun 2011 17,216 miles

Centre Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Subframe 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)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Steering box insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

VEHICLE IS VERY LOW

Pass 9 Jun 2010 15,366 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2010 15,366 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 14 May 2009 13,487 miles
Fail 14 May 2009 13,486 miles

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

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted (2.2.D.2c)

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber insecure (2.7.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Offside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

frnt and rear bumpers insecure.

Fail 21 Apr 2009 134,674 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

front shock bushes perished

exhaust leak at heat exchanger

front axle beam baddly corroded

front steering coloumn bush perished

general corrosion around vehicle underside and rear arches

headlamp kicks boarder line

metal brake pipes perishing

nearside front indicator loose

park brake near end of travel

Fail 29 Oct 2008 28,535 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 8 Sep 2007 25,611 miles
Fail 1 Sep 2007 25,567 miles

Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting damaged but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 12 Jun 2006 23,071 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2006 23,067 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Front passenger seat insecure (6.2.3)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

steering joint dust cover split/missing

steering joint dust cover split/missing

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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SAB 326L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle in Green with a 1,200cc 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 SAB 326L, 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 SAB 326L?

You can check the full history of SAB 326L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SAB 326L registered?

SAB 326L is a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 15 September 1973.

Is SAB 326L safe to buy?

The MOT history for SAB 326L 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 SAB 326L 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 SAB 326L. 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.