Is the Volkswagen Beetle ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 48,461 MOT tests, around 50% of Volkswagen Beetles still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 18% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 31%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 76% petrol, 24% diesel. Petrol Beetles are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Beetles are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 50%
- Likely charged
- 18%
- Depends on the car
- 31%
- MOT tests analysed
- 48,461
Check a specific Beetle
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Beetle ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Beetles of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Likely compliant721 tested | Likely compliant188 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant1,045 tested | Likely compliant459 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant1,444 tested | Likely compliant841 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant1,782 tested | Check exact car1,475 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant1,783 tested | Check exact car1,832 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant2,284 tested | Likely charged2,141 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant1,747 tested | Likely charged502 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant636 tested | Likely charged36 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant1,912 tested | Likely charged263 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant1,630 tested | Likely charged216 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant2,167 tested | Likely charged408 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant2,728 tested | Likely charged435 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant3,005 tested | Likely charged492 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard3,047 tested | Likely charged630 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard3,431 tested | Likely charged770 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard2,699 tested | Likely charged488 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard1,336 tested | Likely charged239 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard1,342 tested | Likely charged2 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged918 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged63 tested | Likely charged4 tested |
| 1974 | Likely charged68 tested | – |
| 1973 | Likely charged192 tested | – |
| 1972 | Likely charged190 tested | – |
| 1971 | Likely charged155 tested | – |
| 1970 | Likely charged104 tested | – |
| 1969 | Likely charged50 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Beetle
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (76% of Beetles tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (24% of Beetles tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Beetles from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (31% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Volkswagen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Beetles fare at the MOT too: see the Volkswagen Beetle MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volkswagen Beetle for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volkswagen Beetles in this data were first registered between 1969 and 2018. 2013 was the most common year, with 4,425 tests (9% of the total), and half were registered in 2008 or later.
Beetles from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 62% of the time, at an average of 70,643 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 57% of the time with 83,510 miles on average.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Beetles likely to comply are from 2006. 3,005 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 50% of the time and averaged 97,381 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Beetles likely to comply are from 2016. 841 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 73% of the time and averaged 44,657 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Beetle's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (10.6% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (4.9%); noise, emissions and leaks: "inoperative or indicates a malfunction" (4.6%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.0% of tests.
Overall, 59% of Beetles passed first time, well below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 79,653 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volkswagen models
About this data
Based on 48,461 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Beetle carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 48,461 MOT tests say about the Volkswagen Beetle and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volkswagen Beetle ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 50% of Beetles on the road are likely compliant and 18% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Beetle years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Beetles first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Beetle ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Beetles from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Beetle is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your Beetle ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.