How many Volkswagen New Beetles are left in New Zealand?
Uncommon 1 in 1,524 on the road Built 1998-2019 European
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
A retro revival launched in 1998, shaped like the original Beetle but built on Golf underpinnings with the engine in the front. It was made in Mexico and came with a flower vase on the dashboard. A lower, sportier second version, called simply the Beetle, ran from 2011 to 2019.
By generation
How many of each generation are still registered.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1C/9C/1Y | 1997–2011 | 2,295 | Uncommon |
| A5 | 2011–2019 | 772 | Scarce |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 T | 105 | Rare |
What Uncommon means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 3,067 still registered, the Volkswagen New Beetle is Uncommon: the grade for cars with 1,200 to 7,999 left.
By how many are left it ranks 9th of the 48 Volkswagen models and 247th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.