CarVerify

Free Car Check

5242 VW

1983 Volkswagen Beetle

Red Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Apr 2027
Tests16 (13 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate81.3%

Mileage

55,215 mi
Last recorded55,215 miles
Recorded on31 Mar 2026
Typical for 1983 Volkswagen Beetle49,914 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

Registration5242 VW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelBeetle
Year1983
ColourRed
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

13 pass 3 fail
Pass 31 Mar 2026 55,215 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2025 55,099 miles

all wheel bearings slight movement

Pass 4 Apr 2024 55,048 miles

Wheel bearing has slight play All (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Mar 2023 54,976 miles

all wheel bearings slight movement

Pass 4 Apr 2022 54,915 miles

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 31 Mar 2021 54,809 miles

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 31 Mar 2021 54,809 miles

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

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Oct 2019 54,655 miles

Wheel bearing has slight play all (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Nov 2018 54,520 miles

Wheel bearing has slight play all bearings (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Nov 2017 54,317 miles

all wheel bearings have very slight play

Pass 11 Nov 2016 54,128 miles

both front seat runners nearest the centre of car have movement as the anti rattle clips have come off

Pass 24 Aug 2015 51,928 miles
Fail 14 Aug 2015 51,922 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 14 May 2012 53,922 miles

Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 12 May 2012 53,918 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 11 May 2011 53,909 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

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

5242 VW is a 1983 Volkswagen Beetle in Red with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81.3%.

Across all 1983 Volkswagen Beetle models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.9% with a typical mileage of 49,914 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 5242 VW, 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 43 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 5242 VW?

You can check the full history of 5242 VW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 5242 VW registered?

5242 VW is a 1983 Volkswagen Beetle, first registered on 29 April 1983.

Is 5242 VW safe to buy?

The MOT history for 5242 VW shows 16 tests with a 81.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 5242 VW 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 5242 VW. 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.