CarVerify

Free Car Check

SM56 HCU

2006 Volkswagen Beetle

Black Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jun 2026
Tests29 (17 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate58.6%

Mileage

157,984 mi
Last recorded157,984 miles
Recorded on22 Jun 2026
Typical for 2006 Volkswagen Beetle67,762 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 £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

RegistrationSM56 HCU
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year2006
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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

17 pass 12 fail
Fail 22 Jun 2026 157,984 miles

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jun 2025 151,950 miles

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

Fail 12 Jun 2025 151,949 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre(s) with different aspect ratios are fitted on the same axle. (5.2.3 (b))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 May 2024 129,070 miles

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

Nearside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Fail 28 May 2024 129,070 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Fail 24 May 2024 128,966 miles

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

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Door sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both front inners and outer (5.2.3 (e))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 25 May 2023 105,229 miles

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 23 May 2023 104,951 miles

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Nov 2022 97,866 miles
Fail 7 Nov 2022 97,722 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 3 Nov 2021 84,625 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play rack end ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 31 Oct 2021 84,593 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play rack end ball joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 16 Oct 2021 84,575 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer and sill front & rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

general under body corrosion on floors & suspension parts

Pass 14 Oct 2020 82,933 miles

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 14 Oct 2020 82,933 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Oct 2019 80,263 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 12 Oct 2018 79,095 miles

Front Coil spring worn (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Oct 2018 79,062 miles

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Front Coil spring worn (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Oct 2017 74,227 miles

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

exhaust back box corroded

Pass 14 Oct 2016 69,665 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2016 69,665 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 15 Oct 2015 65,672 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2014 56,440 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Fail 11 Oct 2014 56,440 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Pass 18 Oct 2013 45,814 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Jun 2013 45,658 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2012 42,027 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2011 35,778 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2010 27,247 miles

Front brake discs slightly pitted

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

SM56 HCU is a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle in Black with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.6%.

Across all 2006 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 67,762 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 SM56 HCU, 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 20 years old, this Volkswagen Beetle is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SM56 HCU?

You can check the full history of SM56 HCU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SM56 HCU registered?

SM56 HCU is a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 17 November 2006.

Is SM56 HCU safe to buy?

The MOT history for SM56 HCU shows 29 tests with a 58.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SM56 HCU 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 SM56 HCU. 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.