Volkswagen 1500

681 registered in New Zealand · 1956–1987 · 88% from Not Known

The Volkswagen 1500 is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 681 registered across model years 1956 to 1987. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 1.5L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the 1500.

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681 On NZ Roads
1.5L Engine

Fuel Types

Volkswagen 1500 fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Volkswagen 1500 vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Volkswagen 1500 fleet age profile: 1967: 10, 1968: 86, 1969: 267, 1970: 240, 1971: 57.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Volkswagen 1500 engine sizes: 1.5L 27%, 1.5L 26%, 1.5L 23%, 1.5L 8%, 1.5L 6%.

Imported From

Volkswagen 1500 imported from: Not Known 88%, Germany 10%, New Zealand 2%, United Kingdom 0%, Australia 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Volkswagen 1500 vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Volkswagen 1500 NZ arrival timeline: 2006: 1, 2007: 1, 2014: 1, 2015: 1, 2024: 1.

Colours

BLUE 134 (20%)
RED 114 (17%)
WHITE 100 (15%)
GREEN 72 (11%)
YELLOW 64 (9%)
ORANGE 39 (6%)
CREAM 35 (5%)
BROWN 35 (5%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Volkswagen 1500 regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 128, CHRISTCHURCH: 68, WAIMAKARIRI: 33, TIMARU: 27, NEW PLYMOUTH: 22.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Volkswagen 1500 are there in New Zealand?

There are 681 Volkswagen 1500 vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1956 to 1987.

What body type is the Volkswagen 1500?

The Volkswagen 1500 is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: sports car, convertible, station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Volkswagen 1500 cars imported or NZ-new?

88% of Volkswagen 1500 vehicles in New Zealand originated from Not Known. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.