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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1958

Review the list of common VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLKSWAGEN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:66.20%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1958 passes without issue)
Based on:361 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment32
Horn not working |1.6.2a|15
Brakes imbalanced across an axle14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|12
Registration plate issues12
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|11
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|11
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively10
Registration plate lamp issues10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|8
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort8
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|7
Windscreen washer control missing |8.2.1a|7
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Brake hose has insufficient room to move6
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Semaphore indicator arm arm does not show an amber light to the front |1.4.C.1b|6
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|6
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken |3.1.5|5
Rear brake binding5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|4
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|4
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|4
Brake hose excessively deteriorated4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Semaphore indicator arm does not extend smoothly |1.4.C.1a|4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|4
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|3
Brake hose damaged3
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Offside Semaphore indicator arm does not extend smoothly |1.4.C.1a|3
Offside Semaphore indicator arm arm does not show an amber light to the front |1.4.C.1b|3
Offside Semaphore indicator arm arm does not show an amber light to the rear |1.4.C.1b|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Front brake application uneven2
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|2
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|2
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|2
Nearside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Battery insecure (1.9.1)2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing |8.2.2|2
Offside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|2
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|2
Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|2
Nearside Semaphore indicator arm arm does not show an amber light to the rear |1.4.C.1b|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|2
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Parking brake lever is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (1.1.6 (f))1
Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))1
Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Axle to floor mounting area (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Upper Track rod end ball pin shank loose |2.2.B.1c|1
Tailgate cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Front Upper Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|1
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Rear front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Offside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Nearside Front Upper Axle king pin retaining device missing |2.5.A.3a|1
Nearside Front Lower Axle king pin retaining device missing |2.5.A.3a|1
Offside Front Upper Axle king pin retaining device missing |2.5.A.3a|1
Offside Front Lower Axle king pin retaining device missing |2.5.A.3a|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|1
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn |7.2.4c|1
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by brake fluid |3.5.1h|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)1
Nearside Semaphore indicator tell tale not working correctly (1.4.C.2)1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking hub (3.6.A.1)1
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)1
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)1
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|1
Offside Front Upper Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Lower Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Lower Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Outer Rear Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Nearside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Offside Rear Front suspension retaining device missing |2.5.A.4|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Indicator tell tale missing |1.4.A.2a|1
Offside Indicator tell tale missing |1.4.A.2a|1
Direction indicators have less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt of the wrong type. |5.1.1|1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt of the wrong type. |5.1.1|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Centre Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Semaphore indicator arm does not retract smoothly |1.4.C.1a|1
Offside Semaphore indicator arm does not retract smoothly |1.4.C.1a|1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|1
Rear Front position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Front Front position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively damaged |3.6.B.2c|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively damaged |3.6.B.2c|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Brake reservoir fluid level decreases after several pedal applications |3.3.C.1|1
Brake pedal does not operate a brake fitted to each wheel |3.3.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator missing |1.4.A.2b|1
Offside Front Direction indicator missing |1.4.A.2b|1
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Nearside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Nearside Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting bolt missing |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting bolt missing |2.4.G.1|1
Front Position lamp not working nearside and offside |4.2.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Windscreen wiper not working |3.4 |a||1
Windscreen washer not working 1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play |2.1.5|1
Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|1
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Steering wheel in a condition that hampers proper control |2.1.1|1
Nearside Upper Front suspension has an insecurely locked unit in the upper support bearing assembly |2.5.B.3b|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension has an insecurely locked unit in the upper support bearing assembly |2.5.B.3b|1
Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Steering system fouling |2.2.D.2a|1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Torsion bar attachment bracket corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.E.4c|1
Offside Rear Torsion bar attachment bracket corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.E.4c|1
Lower Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|1
Nearside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|1
Nearside Front Upper Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|1
Offside Semaphore indicator tell tale not working correctly |1.4.C.2|1
Offside Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Offside Steering arm repaired by welding |2.2.C.1e|1
Offside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a tie bar joint |2.5.A.1c|1
Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Front Windscreen wiper control is inaccessible to the driver |8.2.1a|1
Front Windscreen wiper control missing |8.2.1a|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect |4.1.2 |c||1
Offside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|1
Fuel pipe union leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|1
Brake pipe excessively corroded1
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.4.G.4e|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Front Windscreen wiper blade missing |8.2.2|1
Nearside Front Semaphore indicator arm arm does not show an amber light to the front |1.4.C.1b|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|1
Nearside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted |2.2.D.2c|1
Offside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted |2.2.D.2c|1
Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Offside Front Indicator switch insecure |1.4.A.1|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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