MOT Results

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Volkswagen Beetle MOT Results

65.0% pass rate
from 7,363 tests in 2017
(20% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
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.

  • 23% fail on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (38% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 9.1% fail on Headlamp aim (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 6.0% fail on Position lamps (66% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.7% fail on Front lamps (69% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.9% fail on Rear lamps (93% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on All position lamps
      • 0.014% fail on Switch
    • 5.7% fail on Headlamps (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.1% fail on Headlamp (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Headlamp defects which don't require an aim check on retest (85% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.43% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale' (91% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Headlamp defects which do require an aim check on retest (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.24% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale' (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Dipswitch (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Switch
    • 4.9% fail on Stop lamp (68% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.7% fail on Direction indicators (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.7% fail on Flashing type (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.8% fail on Individual lamps (65% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.5% fail on All direction indicators (71% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.27% fail on Tell tales
        • 0.20% fail on Switch
        • 0.068% fail on Side repeaters (90% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.041% fail on Semaphore
        • 0.041% fail on Arm (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.5% fail on Horn (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Registration plate lamp
    • 1.4% fail on Battery
    • 0.94% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.75% fail on Lamp
      • 0.16% fail on Switch
      • 0.054% fail on Tell tale
    • 0.41% fail on Headlamp aim not tested (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.35% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.31% fail on Rear fog lamp (86% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.30% fail on Fog lamp (85% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.041% fail on Switch
      • 0.014% fail on Tell tale
    • 0.068% fail on Rear reflectors
    • 0.014% fail on Trailer electrical socket
  • 14% fail on Brakes (25% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 11% fail on Brake performance (28% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.7% fail on Front wheels (47% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.0% fail on Rear wheels (31% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.7% fail on Parking brake performance (21% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.6% fail on Service brake performance (80% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Brake imbalance (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Brake performance not tested
      • 0.11% fail on Brake operation
      • 0.014% fail on Parking brake operation
    • 4.6% fail on Hydraulic systems (38% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.4% fail on Components (29% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.1% fail on Hoses (80% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Pipes
        • 0.27% fail on Reservoirs (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.18% fail on Cylinders (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Leaks (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Operation
    • 1.2% fail on Parking brake (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Condition (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.62% fail on Hub components
      • 0.31% fail on Brake drums (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Wheel cylinder
      • 0.11% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.054% fail on Brake pads (85% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.027% fail on Brake back plates
      • 0.027% fail on Brake calipers (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.58% fail on Service brake control components
      • 0.58% fail on Pedal
        • 0.39% fail on Condition (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.19% fail on Anti-slip
    • 0.53% fail on Prescribed areas (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.38% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.15% fail on Actuating linkage mounting (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.014% fail on Park brake mechanism/associated mountings
    • 0.19% fail on Restricted movement
    • 0.12% fail on Mechanical components
      • 0.11% fail on Cable
      • 0.014% fail on Brake slack adjuster
      • 0.014% fail on Linkage
    • 0.041% fail on Locking devices
  • 14% fail on Suspension (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 6.2% fail on Prescribed areas (54% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.7% fail on Component mounting (71% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Subframe mounting (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.068% fail on Spring mounting (93% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.0% fail on Wheel bearings (75% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Front (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Rear (93% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Front suspension joints (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.1% fail on Suspension arms (65% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints (69% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.095% fail on Condition
      • 0.095% fail on Attachment
    • 1.1% fail on Shock absorbers
      • 1.0% fail on Condition
      • 0.054% fail on Fitment (17 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Anti-roll bars (65% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Linkage pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.29% fail on Attachment (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.19% fail on Linkage condition (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.081% fail on Condition (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.027% fail on Presence
    • 0.86% fail on Sub-frames (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.61% fail on Condition (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Attachment (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.054% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
    • 0.33% fail on Axles
      • 0.15% fail on King pins
      • 0.14% fail on Axle beam (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.027% fail on Stub axle
      • 0.014% fail on Swivel joints/housing
    • 0.20% fail on Drive shafts (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.15% fail on Any drive shaft which is part of the suspension
        • 0.14% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.014% fail on Universal joint
      • 0.054% fail on Front drive shafts (94% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.054% fail on Constant velocity joints (94% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.18% fail on Torsion bars (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Attachment (6 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.081% fail on Condition (27 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.18% fail on Trailing arms
      • 0.081% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.054% fail on Condition
      • 0.041% fail on Attachment
    • 0.12% fail on General condition (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.12% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.12% fail on Condition
    • 0.11% fail on Torque/reaction arms
      • 0.068% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.027% fail on Attachment
      • 0.014% fail on Condition
    • 0.095% fail on Radius arms
      • 0.041% fail on Attachment
      • 0.027% fail on Condition
      • 0.027% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
    • 0.095% fail on Front suspension retaining and locking devices
    • 0.054% fail on Tie bars/rods
      • 0.041% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.014% fail on Attachment
    • 0.027% fail on Air suspension (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.027% fail on Operation (21 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.014% fail on Coil springs
      • 0.014% fail on Location
    • 0.014% fail on Fluid suspension
      • 0.014% fail on Suspension unit
    • 0.014% fail on Panhard rods
      • 0.014% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
  • 12% fail on Driver's view of the road (65% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 9.5% fail on Washers (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Wipers
    • 0.35% fail on Windscreen (90% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.34% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.30% fail on Bonnet (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.014% fail on Indirect vision devices
  • 6.4% fail on Body, Structure and General Items (80% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.3% fail on Body condition (70% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Seats (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.4% fail on Drivers (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.67% fail on Passengers (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Vehicle structure (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Chassis (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.67% fail on Doors
      • 0.46% fail on Passengers front (68% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Drivers
      • 0.027% fail on Passengers other (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.20% fail on Body security (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.20% fail on Load security (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Bootlid (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.068% fail on Access panel (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.014% fail on Tailgate
    • 0.12% fail on Speedometer
    • 0.054% fail on Engine mountings
    • 0.014% fail on Spare wheel
  • 6.0% fail on Steering (31% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.1% fail on Steering system
      • 2.6% fail on Track rod end (76% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.37% fail on Free play
        • 0.33% fail on Steering box (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.054% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.37% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.31% fail on Steering box (75% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Steering damper (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.16% fail on Other components
        • 0.081% fail on Steering pivot point
        • 0.068% fail on Steering component
        • 0.014% fail on Steering linkage
      • 0.11% fail on Lock stop (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.095% fail on Steering arm
      • 0.054% fail on Steering rack (96% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.027% fail on Intermediate drop arm
    • 0.83% fail on Steering control (96% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.37% fail on Steering column (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.26% fail on Steering coupling (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.22% fail on Flexible coupling (6 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.041% fail on Universal joint
      • 0.20% fail on Steering wheel
      • 0.014% fail on Steering shaft
    • 0.56% fail on Steering operation (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.53% fail on Locking devices (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.53% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.014% fail on Power steering
      • 0.014% fail on Other components
  • 3.6% fail on Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (64% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.6% fail on Seat belts (65% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Prescribed areas (60% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.67% fail on Condition (57% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.54% fail on Attachment (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Requirements
      • 0.12% fail on Installation check (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.12% fail on Anchorage's (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 3.5% fail on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (40% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.6% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.87% fail on Cap (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.30% fail on Pipe
      • 0.19% fail on Hose
      • 0.19% fail on System (59% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.081% fail on Tank
    • 1.2% fail on Exhaust system (50% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.79% fail on Emissions (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.11% fail on Emissions not tested (61% better than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 3.1% fail on Tyres (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Condition (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Tread depth (33% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.16% fail on Size/type
    • 0.11% fail on Valve stem
  • 1.5% fail on Registration plates and VIN (88% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.4% fail on Registration plate (85% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.095% fail on Vehicle Identification Number
  • 0.27% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.20% fail on Attachment
    • 0.054% fail on Condition
    • 0.014% fail on Halfshafts
  • 0.027% fail on Towbars (88% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.014% fail on Towbar
    • 0.014% fail on Vehicle structure
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