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XDD 745S

1978 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Petrol 1192cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jan 2027
Tests25 (13 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate52%

Mileage

23,726 mi
Last recorded23,726 miles
Recorded on17 Dec 2025
Typical for 1978 Volkswagen Beetle45,494 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationXDD 745S
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1978
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,192cc

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

13 pass 12 fail
Pass 17 Dec 2025 23,726 miles
Fail 16 Dec 2025 23,726 miles

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

Pass 15 Jan 2025 23,549 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2024 23,544 miles

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 6 Dec 2023 23,404 miles

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

Pass 10 Sep 2015 22,964 miles

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (3.7.B.3)

oil leak

r/o/s inner wing under wing corroding

slight play in steering box

Fail 9 Sep 2015 22,964 miles

Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (3.7.B.3)

oil leak

r/o/s inner wing under wing corroding

slight play in steering box

Pass 16 Aug 2014 22,634 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

r/o/s & r/n/s inner wings under wings corroded

slight play detected in steering idler

Pass 26 Feb 2014 22,394 miles

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

head lamp dip switch worn

travel on footbrake

Fail 25 Feb 2014 22,394 miles

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

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

main beam warning light not working

Pass 23 Sep 2013 21,957 miles

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

Oil leak

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

front chassis corroding [axle mounting]

n/s floor pan corroding

r/o/s bumper bracket surport corroded

slight oil leak from steering box

Fail 23 Sep 2013 21,957 miles

Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Oil leak

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

front chassis corroding [axle mounting]

n/s floor pan corroding

r/o/s bumper bracket surport corroded

slight oil leak from steering box

Pass 15 Mar 2012 20,859 miles

Oil leak

f/o/s upper & lower joints dust covers perishing

slight inbalance in rear brakes o/s low

slight play in steering box

Fail 15 Mar 2012 20,859 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

f/o/s upper & lower joints dust covers perishing

r/o/s tyre close to limit 2mm

slight inbalance in rear brakes o/s low

slight play in steering box

Pass 14 Feb 2011 19,622 miles

suspension at rear feels soft, and at front very little travel

Fail 14 Feb 2011 19,622 miles

Headlamps matched pair are incorrectly positioned (1.7.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

suspension at rear feels soft, and at front very little travel

Fail 14 Jul 2010 19,568 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Oil leak

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

brake fluid reservoir cap broken

f/o/s floor corroding

f/o/s set runners showing signs of wear

front bulkhead corroding o/s

o/s head light reflector corroding

r/n/styre wearing low 3mm & perishing

r/o/s inner wing under wing corroding

slight buckle in f/n/s brake drum

slight oil leak from steering box

spare wheel wheel corroding

Pass 31 Jul 2009 18,252 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

brake fluid resevior cap broken

f/n/s & f/o/s floors corroding

o/s headlight reflector fading

o/s sill to floor corroding

r/n/s floor corroding

r/o/s & r/n/s inner winer wings corroding.[under wings]

slight buckle in both front brake drums

slight play in steering box pinion

spare wheel wheel corroding

Fail 31 Jul 2009 18,252 miles

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

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

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (3.6.C.3)

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

brake fluid resevior cap broken

f/n/s & f/o/s floors corroding

o/s headlight reflector fading

o/s sill to floor corroding

r/n/s floor corroding

r/o/s & r/n/s inner winer wings corroding.[under wings]

slight buckle in both front brake drums

slight play in steering box pinion

spare wheel wheel corroding

Fail 8 Aug 2008 17,459 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Front 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)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

spare wheel carrier corroded

Pass 8 Aug 2008 17,459 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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

spare wheel carrier corroded

Pass 8 Aug 2007 16,428 miles

n/s/r inner sidewall cracking

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

all ball joint rubbers split apart from n/s/f upper joint!

Fail 25 Jul 2007 16,428 miles

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

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

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Upper Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Rear rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Rear rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front bumper insecure

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

all front ball joint rubbers split!

n/s/R inner side wall cracking and splitting!

o/s wheel cylinder sticking!

rocker cover oil leaks both banks!

Pass 20 Apr 2006 14,882 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2006 14,882 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

both wiper blades starting to split

front axle chassis mountings starting to corrode

n/s headlight bowl corroded

n/s headlight reflector corroding

o/s sill to floor corroding

o/s/f top & lower joint dust covers split

oil leak

slight buckle in n/s/f brake drum

slight damage to r/n/s tyre

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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XDD 745S is a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle in Silver with a 1,192cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52%.

Across all 1978 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.7% with a typical mileage of 45,494 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 XDD 745S, 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 48 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 XDD 745S?

You can check the full history of XDD 745S by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was XDD 745S registered?

XDD 745S is a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 1 March 1978.

Is XDD 745S safe to buy?

The MOT history for XDD 745S shows 25 tests with a 52% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does XDD 745S 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 XDD 745S. 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.