MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1965

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:63.09%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1965 passes without issue)

Based on:2,655 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	291
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	146
Registration plate lamp issues	111
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	103
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	88
Registration plate issues	82
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	79
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	69
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	49
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	43
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	42
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	40
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	39
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	39
Rear brake binding	38
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	37
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	34
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Rear brake application uneven	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Front brake application uneven	29
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	29
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	26
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	24
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	22
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Brake pipe excessively corroded	21
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	21
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	18
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	17
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	16
Windscreen washer not working	16
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	15
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	15
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	14
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	14
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	12
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	11
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	11
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Brake hose damaged	11
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	10
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	10
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	10
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	10
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	10
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	10
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	9
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	9
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	9
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	9
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	9
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	8
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	8
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	8
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	7
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	7
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	7
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	7
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	7
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	6
Offside Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	6
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	6
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	5
Indicator switch insecure \|1.4.A.1\|	5
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	5
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	5
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	5
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	5
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	5
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	5
Offside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	5
Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	5
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Steering locking device insecure \|2.2.C.1g\|	5
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	5
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
An item not tested \|Manual\|	4
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	4
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	4
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Steering column flexible coupling locking device missing \|2.1.6\|	4
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	4
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	3
Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	3
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	3
Offside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Nearside Front Steering system has a road wheel fouling a part of the vehicle \|2.2.D.2a\|	3
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right \|1.6.B4\|	3
Body insecure and dangerous to other road users \|6.1.B.1b\|	3
Offside Front Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Front Anti-roll bar missing \|2.4.G.1\|	3
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated \|2.1.5\|	3
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	3
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	3
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	3
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	3
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Nearside Steering system fouling \|2.2.D.2a\|	3
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	3
Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	3
Windscreen washer control missing \|8.2.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	3
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position \|6.4.1\|	3
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Offside Inner Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	3
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	3
Steering box has a significant oil leak \|2.2.D.2e\|	3
Offside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	3
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot\|s\| retaining device insecure \|3.1.4b\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	3
Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	3
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3

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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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1965

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