MOT Results

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Volkswagen Beetle MOT Results

70.6% pass rate
from 3,047 tests in 2020
Number of tests by age
More MoT Results
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Volkswagen Beetle is unusually good or bad.

  • 16% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (21% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 5.5% fail on Headlamp aim (56% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.2% fail on Headlamp aim (58% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 4.8% fail on Headlamps (59% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.7% fail on Headlamp (61% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.13% fail on Dipswitch
    • 3.8% fail on Electrical equipment (68% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.3% fail on Horn (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.66% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.20% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 3.2% fail on Stop lamp (30% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.9% fail on Direction indicators
      • 2.9% fail on Flashing type
        • 2.1% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.79% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.066% fail on Switch
    • 2.6% fail on Position lamps (60% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Position lamp (66% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on All position lamps
    • 1.8% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.098% fail on Mandatory tell-tales (74% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.033% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.066% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (97% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Rear fog lamp (97% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.066% fail on Rear fog lamp (97% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.066% fail on Rear reflectors
    • 0.033% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.033% fail on Switch
  • 10% fail on Brakes
    • 8.4% fail on Brake performance
      • 4.7% fail on Service brake performance (41% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 4.6% fail on Rbt (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 3.2% fail on Service brake performance
          • 1.9% fail on Service brake imbalance (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.13% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.13% fail on Service brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles) (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.033% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.033% fail on Service brake performance
      • 3.9% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (31% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 3.9% fail on Rbt (sp) (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 3.0% fail on Service brake imbalance (46% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.9% fail on Service brake performance (59% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (31% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.9% fail on Rbt (sp) (31% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.16% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 1.4% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.4% fail on Rbt
          • 1.0% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.39% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
        • 0.033% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.033% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 0.46% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 0.95% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders) (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.85% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.098% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.85% fail on Flexible brake hoses (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.75% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.49% fail on Pedal
      • 0.26% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.59% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.26% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.26% fail on Brake linings (6 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.20% fail on Brake drums
        • 0.033% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.098% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.066% fail on Cable
        • 0.033% fail on Lever
    • 0.53% fail on Rigid brake pipes (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.39% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.39% fail on Lever
    • 0.23% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.20% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.098% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
        • 0.066% fail on Other braking system component
        • 0.033% fail on Actuating linkage mounting
      • 0.033% fail on Other components
    • 0.13% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.098% fail on Master cylinder
      • 0.033% fail on Brake fluid
    • 0.033% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.033% fail on Leaks
  • 10% fail on Visibility (62% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 8.6% fail on Washers (99% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.8% fail on Wipers
    • 0.16% fail on Driver's view
    • 0.16% fail on View to rear
      • 0.16% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.066% fail on Bonnet
  • 9.7% fail on Suspension (19% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 2.5% fail on Wheel bearings (61% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.4% fail on Suspension arms
      • 1.3% fail on Ball joint dust cover (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.72% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.26% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.16% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.033% fail on Suspension arm
    • 1.2% fail on Other suspension component (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.39% fail on Ball joint dust cover (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.23% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.16% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.13% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Sub-frames (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.59% fail on Sub-frame (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.56% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.46% fail on Anti-roll bars
      • 0.16% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.13% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.066% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.066% fail on Linkage
      • 0.033% fail on Anti-roll bar
    • 0.43% fail on Axles
      • 0.20% fail on King pins
      • 0.13% fail on Axle (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.13% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
    • 0.33% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.098% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.066% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.033% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.066% fail on Springs (91% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.033% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.033% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.033% fail on Air/gas/fluid suspension
      • 0.033% fail on Operation
  • 6.8% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 1.4% fail on Seats (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Driver's seat (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 1.3% fail on Chassis
      • 1.3% fail on Chassis condition
    • 1.2% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.53% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Pipe
      • 0.26% fail on Hose
      • 0.13% fail on Tank
    • 1.1% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.033% fail on Sub-frame
        • 0.033% fail on Sub-frame condition
      • 0.033% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 0.79% fail on Exhaust system (60% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.72% fail on Transmission (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.62% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.46% fail on Joints (55% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.16% fail on Drive shaft (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Halfshafts (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.033% fail on Prop shafts
        • 0.033% fail on Joints
    • 0.49% fail on Doors
      • 0.36% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.36% fail on Door condition
      • 0.20% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.16% fail on Door condition
        • 0.033% fail on Hinge
    • 0.36% fail on Floor
    • 0.26% fail on Body
      • 0.13% fail on Other body component
      • 0.098% fail on Mounting fixings
      • 0.066% fail on Panel
    • 0.23% fail on Boot lid (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Boot lid condition (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.033% fail on Other boot lid component
    • 0.098% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.033% fail on Engine mounting
      • 0.033% fail on Engine mounting condition
    • 0.033% fail on Cabs
      • 0.033% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 4.3% fail on Steering
    • 3.2% fail on Steering linkage components (62% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Track rod end (69% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.39% fail on Locking devices (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.16% fail on Other components
        • 0.098% fail on Steering linkage
        • 0.066% fail on Steering component
      • 0.16% fail on Lock stop (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.13% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.033% fail on Intermediate drop arm
    • 0.43% fail on Steering gear (65% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Steering box
      • 0.13% fail on Operation
      • 0.066% fail on Steering rack (94% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.30% fail on Steering column
    • 0.30% fail on Steering play
      • 0.30% fail on Steering box
    • 0.16% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.16% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.033% fail on Steering shaft
    • 0.033% fail on Steering coupling
      • 0.033% fail on Flexible coupling
  • 2.2% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Exhaust emissions (69% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Spark ignition (67% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.98% fail on Non catalyst emissions (64% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.13% fail on Emissions not tested
      • 0.033% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.033% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 1.1% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.75% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.16% fail on Transmission oil leaks
      • 0.13% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
      • 0.066% fail on Other leaks
  • 2.0% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 2.0% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.2% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.59% fail on Condition
      • 0.33% fail on Attachment (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Requirements
  • 1.8% fail on Tyres
    • 1.1% fail on Condition
    • 0.72% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.033% fail on Size/type
  • 0.69% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.69% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.23% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.13% fail on Attachment
    • 0.066% fail on Condition
    • 0.033% fail on Hubs
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