Low mileage 2litre Beetle with fresh MOT in desirable Yellow
Highline specification with heated leather seats and air conditioning
Scope to improve or just enjoy as it is
New Beetles are very distinctive and becoming rare and collectable
Based on Golf running gear with dependable VW mechanicals
One family owned from brand new
ULEZ-compliant modern classic
The Appeal
In the mid-1990s car makers were caught up in the end-of-the-Millennium retro trend and rushed cars to market that had one eye firmly on the past. Among them was VW which chose to regenerate the iconic Beetle in 1997. The New Beetle cleverly referenced the old car, including its Flower Power, Summer of Love credentials, whilst being clearly a product of its time.
This low mileage 2000 Beetle is finished in distinctive Yellow – and if you’re buying a Beetle, surely distinctive is the way to go – and is luxurious Highline specification with VW’s dependable 2litre petrol engine. As befits those hippy credentials it is of course ULEZ compliant.
The car has been in one family since new and recently recommissioned after a few years off the road. It comes with MOT to March 2024. There are some cosmetic issues to be aware of but with a good valet this looks like a solid, reliable way to really stand out wherever the road may take you, man. 2001 VW Beetle 3.JPG7.37 MB
The History And Paperwork
First registered 29th June 2001
Factory handbooks and service book with three VW dealer stamps to December 2004 and 31,728 miles
Has covered less than 5,000 miles since 2006
MOT to 21st March 2024 with two minor advisories
Handbook correctly identifies this as a Yellow (paint code LD1B) Highline Beetle
Highline specification with heated leather seats and air conditioning
Factory standard interior right down to the audio system
VW over mats fitted
Flower holder remains intact
Leather rimmed steering wheel
Boot area in good condition with original tool kit complete
The ethos of the original Beetle was cleverly evolved for its modern cousin, combining the simplicity of the original with the sort of modern creature comforts expected of late 90s motorist. The single oval dial heavily references the original’s similar layout while the clever flower holder is a humorous nod to the original car’s Flower Power status.
This car is top of the range Highline specification so there are heated black leather seats, central armrest and air conditioning. The seats are in very good condition, just a light sheen on the driver’s seat indicating age, but the bolsters and generation condition reflect the low mileage and limited use.
The interior would generally benefit from a good valet, which would likely improve some of the marks on the lower dashboard and improve the carpets and over mats. The headlining shows signs of mildew that would also likely respond to a good clean.
Elsewhere there are various scuffs and marks reflective of the age of the car and the quality of some VW fittings when it was new. The vinyl trims on both doors are parting with the glue backing in places. On the driver’s side the body coloured paintwork on the door is scuffs as is the door handle and door card. The door handle is worn in places and the mirror switch is broken, a common problem for this particular part.
There are a handful of marks on the dash top and around the ventilation switches. The cupholders are slightly cracked and there are scuffs on both sides of the plastic centre console. The glovebox handle is scuffed. The leather rimmed steering wheel has also worn on both side spokes.
The boot area, including the carpeting, is in good condition and there is a factory supplied tool kit that appears to be complete.2001 VW Beetle 15.JPG6.53 MB
The Exterior
Vibrant factory Yellow paintwork
Solid bodywork with no visible signs of rust
Underside appears in good condition and there were no structural advisories on the MOT
Continental tyres fitted that appear to be fairly old but in good condition
Six spoke 16inch factory alloy wheels in fair condition
Famed designer J Mays had a tough task on his hands updating the Beetle for a new generation and new Millennium. The unfussy, bright Yellow bodywork of this 2001 Beetle indicates how that design has aged well, cleverly blending obvious references to the classic model with a modern 1990s twist.
This Beetle has been in the same family since new – the Seller bought it for his daughter – but has been off the road for much of the last 10-15 years, which the Mot history supports. Consequently the bodywork, while presentable, could do with a good valet to bring back the vibrancy of that Yellow paintwork.
There are various marks around the car, most of which would likely be significantly improved by a good machine polish.
At the front there is a 2cm square paint chip below the VW badge, which itself has begun to delaminate. The bumper is scuffed above the number plate and there are scratches on the nearside above the grille. The lower grille itself is cracked on the nearside corner and the bumper on this corner is poorly fitted with further scratches throughout its length. The offside headlamp has a light misting of moisture inside at its base.
On the nearside there are chips on the door edge and a dent in the sill ahead of the rear wheel. There is a scuff on the rear wing and on the bumper corner through its height.
The rear bumper has a number of chips and scuffs around the number plate and there appears to be a chip in the paintwork on the rear hatch on the nearside.
On the offside the edge of the rear bumper is scuffed . The sill has either dirt or scuffs throughout its lower length. The door has chips on the edge and at the rear corner and around the door handle. The front wing is scuffed and there are scratches near the edge of the bumper corner.
All four alloys are kerbed, the offside rear also displaying scratches on the spokes. The VW centre cap badges are missing on each wheel. The car is fitted with Continental tyres, which have good tread but appear to be relatively old. The nearside rear tyres is partially deflated.
The most recent MOT in March does not show any structural advisories. The neat private registration is included in the sale. 2001 VW Beetle 2.JPG9.76 MB
The Mechanics
2litre VW 4cylinder engine generating 114bhp
5spd manual gearbox
VW main dealer service history to 31,728 miles in 2004
MOT’d in August 2006 at 39,316 miles
Next MOT in April 2022 at 43,708 miles
Current MOT March 2023 at 43,781 miles
Has covered 10 miles since most recent MOT
The New Beetle may have looked radically different from anything else on the road but its underpinnings were shared and thoroughly proven.
The 2litre engine and five speed gearbox of this car come from an era when VW engines were ultra reliable – they are still good of course – and parts are easy to obtain. The service book shows three VW main dealer stamps up to 2004 and 31,000 miles. MOT records indicate that the car was off the road when the 2006 MOT expired in August 2007, the next MOT in 2022 showing just 4,000 miles covered in those 16 years. The Seller states that he has recommissioned the car for sale, which includes a fresh MOT.
Despite that extended lay up the MOT contains just two minor advisories, for a front lower suspension arm bush and a slight oil leak.
The interval for changing the timing belt is 75,000 miles – this car is well below that but may benefit from replacement based on time. As the last service appears to have been in 2004 it may also be worth factoring that in.
The New Beetle was a clever and distinctive update of the original icon. When it was new it was a little swamped by the tsunami of car companies rushing out retro models. Today it certainly stands out, delivering a stylish modern classic experience with proven VW running gear.
This 2001 Beetle definitely stands out with its Yellow paintwork. It is a low mileage car with long MOT, nice Highline specification and it appears solid and very useable. It has the added advantage of being ULEZ compliant so could be used as a distinctive city car. With a good valet and perhaps some service work investment, this 22 year old car looks ready for the modern eco-centric world.
Notice to bidders
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