Volkswagen Beetle: what fails at MOT
54,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Beetle in 2024, counted. 39% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
39% of Volkswagen Beetle tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 34.1%, so the Beetle does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.8% of tests), suspension (9.9% of tests) and brakes (5.8% of tests). It fails on exhaust and emissions and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,227 | 20.4% | 15.6% | 33,200 22,000 to 46,200 |
| 2017 | 2,042 | 24.8% | 18.2% | 39,900 28,800 to 56,600 |
| 2016 | 3,090 | 25.7% | 21.3% | 49,400 35,700 to 65,000 |
| 2015 | 4,495 | 28.8% | 24.4% | 55,600 41,300 to 72,200 |
| 2014 | 5,242 | 29.6% | 27.7% | 63,600 46,600 to 80,400 |
| 2013 | 6,719 | 31.4% | 30.6% | 70,700 53,000 to 91,300 |
| 2012 | 3,583 | 30.4% | 33.4% | 72,300 56,100 to 90,800 |
| 2011 | 924 | 40.9% | 36.1% | 75,500 56,800 to 94,400 |
| 2010 | 2,787 | 44.9% | 38.6% | 78,800 60,300 to 98,700 |
| 2009 | 2,545 | 43.8% | 39.8% | 85,800 68,500 to 105,600 |
| 2008 | 3,342 | 49.8% | 41.5% | 90,300 72,800 to 109,600 |
| 2007 | 4,136 | 51.9% | 41.5% | 94,500 75,400 to 113,900 |
| 2006 | 4,445 | 49.5% | 42.4% | 100,500 81,400 to 120,600 |
| 2005 | 4,352 | 50.1% | 42.2% | 99,800 79,600 to 121,100 |
| 2004 | 4,908 | 50.3% | 42.3% | 104,400 81,500 to 127,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Beetle tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Beetle | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.8% | 10.3% |
| Suspension | 9.9% | 8.5% |
| Brakes | 5.8% | 6.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 4.7% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.2% | 3.7% |
| Steering More than most | 3.0% | 1.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Suspension pins and bushes3.3%
- Headlamp3.2%
- Headlamp aim3.2%
- Coil spring3.0%
- Rear fog light2.9%
- Tyre2.8%
- Engine warning light2.7%
- Wipers2.4%
- Track rod end2.4%
- Brake light2.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
- Rear fog light: not working2.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.8%
- Brake light: not working1.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.1%
- Coil spring: corroded4.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.8%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Volkswagen Beetle's own MOT record
Looking at a Beetle? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.