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YDX 251S

1978 Volkswagen Beetle

Silver Petrol 1192cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Sep 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

93,693 mi
Last recorded93,693 miles
Recorded on19 Sep 2025
Typical for 1978 Volkswagen Beetle45,494 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationYDX 251S
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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 19 Sep 2025 93,693 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 12 Aug 2025 93,690 miles

Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp headlamps come on when left indicator applied (4.4.3 (b))

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength n/s and o/s front swing arm mounting points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted tyres contact body when on full lock (2.1.4 (b))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres slightly perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 12 Jan 2022 93,683 miles

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

Pass 19 Jan 2021 93,579 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive all over engine, multiple leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Jan 2021 93,579 miles

Fuel pipe damaged flexible feed hose from tank perished (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Headlamp light intensity severely reduced main beam (4.1.4 (a))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive all over engine, multiple leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive corrosion close to rear beam mounting points, not excessive. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

roughness in steering colomn when turned

Pass 29 Jun 2019 92,971 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2019 92,971 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2018 92,072 miles

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

Pass 7 Jul 2017 89,899 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2017 89,899 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid not working (8.2.3)

Pass 13 Jul 2016 87,432 miles

***ENGINE LEAKING OIL***

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 12 Jul 2016 87,432 miles

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.A.2a)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

***ENGINE LEAKING OIL***

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 16 Jul 2015 85,926 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2015 85,922 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Indicator tell tale inoperative (1.4.A.2a)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Inner Front Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 10 Sep 2013 85,673 miles

front axle beam rusty

Fail 5 Sep 2013 85,667 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Trailing arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

front axle beam rusty

Pass 21 Aug 2012 85,031 miles

underside of vehicle undersealed but showing signs of extensive corrosion

Pass 6 Sep 2011 84,232 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2010 83,125 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2009 82,320 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2009 82,250 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Pass 26 Aug 2008 81,023 miles

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

both outer sills and underside of vehicle showing light corrosion

Pass 24 Aug 2007 79,192 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2007

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

Nearside Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Offside Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Pass 6 Jul 2006 78,504 miles

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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YDX 251S 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 64%.

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 YDX 251S, 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 YDX 251S?

You can check the full history of YDX 251S by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was YDX 251S registered?

YDX 251S is a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 1 April 1978.

Is YDX 251S safe to buy?

The MOT history for YDX 251S shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does YDX 251S 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 YDX 251S. 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.