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MOT reliability

Volkswagen Beatle

134 vehicles · 1,191 completed MOT tests analysed
69%
MOT pass rate

Based on 134 Volkswagen Beatle vehicles and 1,191 completed MOT tests, the Volkswagen Beatle has an overall 69% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 73,392 miles.

134
Vehicles
1,191
MOT tests
1,507
Avg miles / year
2.3
Faults per test
0%
Dangerous-fault share

Volkswagen Beatle problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volkswagen Beatle MOT tests:

  • Other91%
  • Emissions & nuisance6%
  • Brakes6%
  • Steering5%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension4%
  • Seatbelts & equipment2%
  • Lamps & electrical1%
  • Body & structure1%

Volkswagen Beatle pass rate by age

Age (years)TestsPass rate
11100%
21100%
32100%
4650%
5560%
6786%
7683%
81060%
96100%
10888%
116100%
12875%
13875%
141155%
151070%
161080%
17862%
18560%
19862%
202100%

Fuel types: Petrol (133), Other (1)

Most common Volkswagen Beatle MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volkswagen Beatle MOT tests:

  1. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) (53 times)
  2. Horn not working (1.6.2a) (47 times)
  3. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) (31 times)
  4. Oil leak (30 times)
  5. Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a) (30 times)
  6. Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) (29 times)
  7. Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3) (26 times)
  8. Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8) (23 times)
  9. Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) (23 times)
  10. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (23 times)
  11. Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3) (23 times)
  12. Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) (22 times)
  13. Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) (18 times)
  14. Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8) (18 times)
  15. Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2) (17 times)

Volkswagen Beatle pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2012 1 2 50% 10,374
2006 1 2 50% 47,699
2005 1 11 64% 69,643
2004 1 17 59% 38,849
2003 1 13 77% 141,960
2002 1 14 93% 104,396
2001 1 16 75% 111,637
2000 2 36 69% 103,600
1998 1 7 57% —
1995 1 13 77% 88,934
1991 1 2 100% 1,013
1990 1 11 100% 47,180
1989 1 6 100% 29,203
1983 1 11 73% 98,225
1980 1 17 88% 46,081
1978 4 20 90% 259,279
1976 1 19 58% 42,965
1974 9 104 64% 136,522
1973 9 93 59% 114,918
1972 23 214 70% 53,268
1971 15 97 61% 39,780
1970 20 185 69% 75,713
1969 2 17 65% 57,311
1968 7 40 68% 75,771
1967 8 71 70% 43,209
1966 6 66 76% 44,141
1965 6 46 74% 49,032
1964 1 6 50% 17,345
1963 2 15 93% 52,349
1959 1 1 100% 15,459
1958 1 11 55% 66,370
1956 1 2 50% 62,075
1955 1 4 75% 81,159

Volkswagen Beatle reliability FAQ

Across 134 Volkswagen Beatle vehicles in our MOT data, 69% pass the MOT (a 31% failure rate), with about 2.3 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volkswagen Beatle MOT issues are: Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3); Horn not working (1.6.2a); Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7).

The typical Volkswagen Beatle in our data has covered around 73,392 miles.

Compare the Volkswagen Beatle

See how the Volkswagen Beatle stacks up against other Volkswagen models on MOT reliability:

Beatle vs Golf Beatle vs Polo Beatle vs Passat Beatle vs Transporter

Check a specific Volkswagen Beatle

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volkswagen models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks