TheSamba.com :: View topic - 914 Pre-Purchase Punch List

Thu May 01, 2025 2:36 pm

Hey all.
Long time Beetle owner here.
Looking at getting a 914.

I've been doing a lot of reading and searching lately.
Surprised I haven't found a "walk around" punch list for what to look for with a 914 before you take it to a PPI

I've put together a short list, but wondering what I'm missing:

Rust Inspection Checklist (High-Priority)
Critical Areas:

[ ] Front suspension A-arm mounting points
[ ] Floor pan (esp. under seats)
[ ] Rocker panels & jack points
[ ] Rear suspension mounts (especially right rear)
[ ] Rear trunk floor & corners
[ ] Front trunk floor
[ ] Pedal cluster area (under carpet)
[ ] Behind seats & rear firewall
[ ] Around battery tray (look below for engine shelf rust)
[ ] Inner front corners of engine bay (water trap area)

Body Fit & Signs of Damage:

[ ] Doors open/close easily with consistent panel gaps
[ ] Front & rear decklids show no bends or repairs (check welds)
[ ] Trunk panels behind bumpers & headlight supports are straight
[ ] Hood seal channel rust, esp. around headlights
[ ] Check matching serial numbers (front trunk & rear engine bay)

Engine & Mechanical
Engine Type Identification (by Serial #):

[ ] Check serial number yourself on engine case:
1.7L & 1.8L: Rear of engine
2.0L: Side/top of engine case

Performance & Condition Checks:

[ ] Cold start: fires up easily?
[ ] Warm/hot start: still smooth?
[ ] Idle: smooth when warm? (They run rough when cold)
[ ] Shifting: smooth? Sloppy shift may mean bad bushings or worse
[ ] Clutch: engage cleanly or slipping? Dragging?
[ ] Transmission: no grinding or jumping out of gear
[ ] Brakes: discs/pads condition, pedal feel
[ ] Suspension: not sagging, no clunks or knocks

Paperwork & Records:

[ ] What 'owner' is the seller? 1st? 2nd? 7th? Unsure? etc
[ ] Title status (clean, rebuilt, salvage?)
[ ] Matching VINs across chassis and documents
[ ] Service records?
[ ] Previous restoration or engine rebuilds?
[ ] Factory fuel injection still present?

Any missing mission-critical "parking lot" checks that should be added to the list?
Remember this is just for a walkaround before having a PPI.

Mon May 05, 2025 6:43 am

I bought a '72 914 new. In addition to your list, I'd add:

1. Above front wheels - rust through wheel well to the hood gasket attachment area.
2. On either side of the front windshield, where the fenders meet the cowl, there is a vinyl filler strip that rusts underneath it.
3. The roof sail area where the aluminum trim strip covers the vinyl. Most 914 came with the vinyl sail trim as part of the optional appearance package. Many eliminate the vinyl, which is an indicator of Bondo covering rust.
4. Rear edge of the trunk lid - rust.
5. Rear slide hinge mount welds broken (Trunk lid will sit high either side).

I lived in VA and fought rust formation on my '72. Jut breathing on it caused rust through!

Mon May 05, 2025 11:54 am

Wolfgangdieter wrote: I bought a '72 914 new. In addition to your list, I'd add:

1. Above front wheels - rust through wheel well to the hood gasket attachment area.
2. On either side of the front windshield, where the fenders meet the cowl, there is a vinyl filler strip that rusts underneath it.
3. The roof sail area where the aluminum trim strip covers the vinyl. Most 914 came with the vinyl sail trim as part of the optional appearance package. Many eliminate the vinyl, which is an indicator of Bondo covering rust.
4. Rear edge of the trunk lid - rust.
5. Rear slide hinge mount welds broken (Trunk lid will sit high either side).

I lived in VA and fought rust formation on my '72. Jut breathing on it caused rust through!

Great to know - I'll add it to the list.

Fri May 09, 2025 9:07 am

Another good tip I learned and will add to the list is to do a quick longitudinal strength check.

The idea is to take the top off and jack up one side at a time. Watch the gap at the door. Open and close the door, if you can. You’re looking for the car ‘bending’ under its own weight.

Thought that was interesting.

Wed May 28, 2025 4:06 pm

you can watch my youtube video

Wed May 28, 2025 8:48 pm

[email protected] wrote: you can watch my youtube video

Sounds helpful, maybe post a link?