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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1963

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:63.19%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1963 passes without issue)
Based on:1,592 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment168
Brakes imbalanced across an axle84
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|68
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively66
Horn not working |1.6.2a|65
Registration plate lamp issues62
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort54
Registration plate issues39
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|36
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|29
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|27
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|27
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|27
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|25
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|25
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|21
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|21
Brake pipe excessively corroded21
Front brake application uneven20
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|19
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|19
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|18
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|17
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|17
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|16
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|16
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|15
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Rear brake application uneven13
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|13
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|11
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|11
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|10
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Windscreen washer not working 10
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|10
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|10
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|10
Rear brake binding9
Battery insecure |1.9.1|9
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|9
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|9
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|9
Brake hose has insufficient room to move9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|8
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|8
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|8
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Brake hose excessively deteriorated8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|8
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|7
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|7
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|7
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement7
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|7
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|7
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|7
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|7
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|7
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|6
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|6
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|6
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|6
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken |3.1.5|6
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Brake hose damaged6
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|6
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|6
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|6
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|6
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|5
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|5
Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|5
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|5
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|5
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|5
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|5
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|5
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|4
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing |2.4.G.2|4
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|4
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|4
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|4
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing |2.4.G.2|3
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|3
Front brake excessively fluctuating3
Nearside Front Brake hose stretched |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|3
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|3
Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|3
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|3
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
An item not tested |Manual|3
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|3
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|3
Windscreen washer control missing |8.2.1a|3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|2
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|2
Steering wheel locking device insecure |2.1.6|2
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|2
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)2
Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)2
Nearside Front Steering locking device insecure |2.2.C.1g|2
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing |2.5.B.1a|2
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of an upper wishbone inner bearing |2.5.B.1a|2
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|2
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Lower Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))2
Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))2
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Upper Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|2
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Offside Body or chassis has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Stop lamp excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|2
Offside Stop lamp excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|2
Offside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|2
Nearside Front Lower Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|2
Offside Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|2
Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.3.A.2|2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))2
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps |1.7.4b|2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released2
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing |8.2.2|2
Offside Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|2
Offside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Offside Front Upper Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering |2.5.A.3a|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|2
Nearside Front Upper Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|2
Offside Front Lower Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|2
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|2
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|2
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||2
Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|2
Nearside Front Suspension arm locating pin locking device not properly locked |2.4.G.3b|2
Offside Front Suspension arm locating pin locking device not properly locked |2.4.G.3b|2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension locking device ineffective |2.5.A.4|2
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|2
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Nearside Front Brake pipe twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|2
Nearside Front Torsion bar excessive play at an end fixing |2.4.E.2|2
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|2
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|2
Nearside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|2
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|2
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play |2.5.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Steering column flexible coupling retaining device missing |2.1.6|2
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|2
Nearside Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||2
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin |2.5.A.3b|2
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. |6.7.3|2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working |1.7.4c|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Offside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|2
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|2
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.2.6|2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is fractured |2.4.A.3|2
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|2
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
Rear Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|2
Offside Front Stub axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam |2.5.A.1a|2
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||2
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.4.A.2e|2
Offside Inner Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|2
Offside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|2
Nearside Rear Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|2
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|2
Offside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|2
Steering box damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|2
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
Centre Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |3.6.C.3|2
front brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|2

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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