MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1966

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:61.95%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1966 passes without issue)

Based on:4,189 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	423
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	202
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	187
Registration plate lamp issues	160
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	126
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	121
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	105
Registration plate issues	104
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	103
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	95
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	80
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	80
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	75
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	74
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	67
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	62
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	61
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	55
Front brake application uneven	53
Rear brake application uneven	50
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	47
Rear brake binding	44
Brake pipe excessively corroded	44
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	39
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	35
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	35
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	33
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	33
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	31
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	31
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	30
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	29
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	27
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	26
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	25
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	24
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	24
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	23
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	23
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	21
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	21
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	21
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	19
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	19
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	19
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	19
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	18
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	18
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	18
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	18
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	18
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	17
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	17
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	17
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	16
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	16
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	14
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	13
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	12
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	11
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	11
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	11
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	11
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	11
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	10
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	10
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	10
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	10
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	10
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	10
Windscreen washer not working	10
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	10
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	9
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	9
Brake hose damaged	9
Indicator switch insecure \|1.4.A.1\|	9
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	9
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	9
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	9
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	9
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	8
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	8
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	8
Offside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	8
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	8
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	8
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	7
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	7
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	7
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	7
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	7
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	7
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	7
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	6
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
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\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	6
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	6
Nearside Rear Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Front Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage \|3.1.4a\|	5
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
An item not tested \|Manual\|	5
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	5
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	5
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	5
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5

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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1966

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