Checking it took a few months. In December 2023, 51 years after it was taken from the van, the bass went back to McCartney.
In February 2024, the news was announced: “The guitar has been authenticated by Höfner.” It was the bass he had bought in Hamburg.
“The bass is complete and still with its original case,” the announcement said. “It will need some repairs to make it playable again.” McCartney's website said he was “incredibly grateful to all those involved.”