Quirky and charming looks aside, the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most reliable vehicles in the industry. With proper care and maintenance, it can last you up to a decade, if not more. Beetles have been around for almost a century before Volkswagen rolled the last Beetle off the assembly line in 2019.
Although the model has been discontinued, the Beetle is still considered popular and iconic by car aficionados worldwide. Unfortunately, this means they’re hard to get. More often than not, drivers interested in getting a Beetle will have to buy it pre-loved.
If you’re in the market for this iconic car, it’s important to know what factors to consider before buying a used Beetle, especially if you want to avoid getting a raw deal.
Tips for Buying Used Beetles
Handy tips for buying a used Beetle include checking for service records before making a purchase, avoiding older models, checking the mileage of the car, and doing research to find the ideal Beetle model for you.
Always Check for Maintenance Logs
When purchasing a used vehicle, especially discontinued models like Beetles, it’s important to ask the seller to see its maintenance logs.
Also known as service history, maintenance logs will let you see what work has been done on a vehicle. They’ll show everything from show oil changes to all the instances where an auto part is repaired or replaced. These records will help you get an idea of what a car’s most common problems are.
However, this doesn’t mean that vehicles that don’t have service records are bad and that sellers are untrustworthy. It’s simply better to have the assurance that its previous owner cared for the vehicle and got regular maintenance.
Volkswagen Beetles, in particular, need regular maintenance — at least twice a year.
Avoid Older Models
It’s strongly recommended that you avoid older Volkswagen Beetles, namely the ones that use air-cooled engines.
It doesn’t matter how charming a classic Beetle is. Older models, such as the one from 1972, simply don’t meet modern standards when it comes to power, safety, and emission levels.
Compared to modern vehicles, classic Beetles have higher emission levels, weaker performance, and less effective safety features, including ones as important as airbags.
It’s also worth mentioning that it’s more difficult to find replacement parts for older Volkswagen Beetles models. This means it’ll be more expensive to maintain than models from more recent years.
Be Ready to Spend
Just because a vehicle is pre-loved doesn’t mean it’s cheap.
Because Volkswagen Beetles were discontinued in 2019, supply has gone down, and demand has gone up. This means you need to be ready to spend a lot of money to get a Beetle — especially older, rarer models.
Prices will vary depending on the year, make, and model of the Beetle you want.
You might also have to break the bank to pay for any replacement parts and repairs you might need to do after getting your Beetle. While this isn’t true for all secondhand cars, most have high mileage, which means they’ve seen a lot of use. In short, some of its components might be worn or weathered from years of driving.
Check the Mileage
Generally speaking, the higher the mileage of a vehicle, the more often you’ll need to bring it to an auto repair shop for maintenance.
The more a vehicle is used, the more worn its parts become. This means these parts might require regular repairs and replacements because problems are more likely to develop.
The ideal mileage for a secondhand Beetle is roughly 50,000 miles. Bear in mind that this doesn’t mean secondhand vehicles with a higher mileage than that are bad. It just means that the vehicle will need frequent maintenance, likely more often than the maintenance you’d need for a newer vehicle.
For any Beetle released after 1996, hook up a code reader and check for trouble codes and readiness monitors. If there are no codes, there’s a good chance the seller cleared the codes or disconnected the battery — a massive red flag that implies there’s something wrong with the vehicle. If this happens, there’s a good chance the seller is trying to get rid of their Beetle because of an expensive repair. Be wary of vehicles with no logged trouble codes.
Know What Kind of Beetle You Want
There are many Volkswagen Beetle models, each with its own unique features and specifications. There are the classic Beetles with air-cooled engines that many collectors and aficionados adore. Meanwhile, more modern Beetle models aren’t that different from your run-of-the-mill coupe.
If you plan on buying a used Beetle, you need to know which model to buy specifically. As mentioned previously, it’s not recommended to purchase older models that have air-cooled engines.
Make sure to do a lot of research to find the perfect model that fits you and your lifestyle.
Common Beetle Problems to Watch Out for
Before buying a used Beetle, familiarize yourself with the problems you might run into. This includes faulty engines, transmission issues, and problems with safety features like airbags. By knowing what to look out for, you’ll know which components to check to ensure you get a vehicle that works.
Faulty Engine
Before buying a Beetle, always confirm that there are no problems with its engine.
One of the most common problems many Beetle models have is engine failure. Though this isn’t true for all models, some drivers have complained about their Beetles stalling. More often than not, this problem is caused by timing chains being rendered inoperative.
The 2013 Volkswagen in particular is notorious for engine problems brought about by bad timing chains. When these chains fail, they can potentially cause severe and permanent damage to the engine.
Transmission Issues
Before buying a Beetle, always check the transmission and confirm it is not inoperative. Another common problem many drivers have experienced with the Beetle is transmission failure.
While driving, the transmission would often hard shift, jolt into gear, or slip. In more extreme cases, the transmission even leaked. Typically, transmissions that become inoperative need to be replaced entirely.
Airbag Problems
When buying a used Beetle, make sure to check if the airbag works, as many owners have reported it malfunctioning.
For example, there are many reported cases of the airbag light illuminating for no reason when driving. This is attributed to faulty sensors. This is a massive issue because this means airbags might not deploy when you need them to — a problem that increases the risk of serious injuries during accidents.
It’s also worth mentioning that older models, such as the 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, don’t even have airbags. Because of this, it’s recommended to avoid purchasing older models.
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