VOLKSWAGEN · VOLKSWAGEN 1500 · Cars
VOLKSWAGEN 1500 Rare
As of 2026 Q1, 973 VOLKSWAGEN 1500s remain registered in the UK — a genuinely rare sight on today's roads. That's down from a peak of 984 in 2020 Q3 — only 99% of the high-water mark, a loss of about 11 cars. Unusually, the numbers are actually rising — up 5 (0.5%) over the past year, as imports and barn-finds rejoin the register faster than cars leave it. Tellingly, 51% are declared SORN — kept off the road in garages and barns rather than driven, the signature of a car being looked after rather than used up.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Rare — fewer than 1,000 remain (973 in the latest data).
Rarer than 35% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Fuel breakdown
Trend
About the 1500
The Volkswagen Type 3 is a compact car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 1961 to 1973. Introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the IAA, the Type 3 was marketed as the Volkswagen 1500 and later as the Volkswagen 1600, in two-door notchback, fastback, and station wagon body styles, the latter marketed as the 'Squareback' in the United States. The Type 3 diversified Volkswagen's product range beyond the existing models—the Type 1 Beetles, Type 14 Karmann Ghia, Type 2 vans and pickups—while retaining Volkswagen's hallmark engineering features: the air-cooled rear-engine...
VOLKSWAGEN 1500 — questions & answers
How many VOLKSWAGEN 1500 are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 973 VOLKSWAGEN 1500 were still registered in the UK — 479 licensed and on the road, plus 494 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the VOLKSWAGEN 1500 rare?
The VOLKSWAGEN 1500 is rare — fewer than 1,000 remain (973), making it rarer than 35% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the VOLKSWAGEN 1500 increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of VOLKSWAGEN 1500 on UK roads rose by 5 (0.5%).
What fuel do most VOLKSWAGEN 1500 use?
Most VOLKSWAGEN 1500 run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered, with the rest split across diesel.
When did the VOLKSWAGEN 1500 peak?
The VOLKSWAGEN 1500 peaked at 984 registered in 2020 Q3, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.