MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1970

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:56.90%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1970 passes without issue)

Based on:11,036 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1530
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	641
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	567
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	383
Registration plate lamp issues	381
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	353
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	331
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	330
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	284
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	247
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	229
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	216
Rear brake binding	202
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	201
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	198
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	191
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	191
Registration plate issues	182
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	174
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	164
Brake pipe excessively corroded	160
Rear brake application uneven	154
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	152
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	147
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	145
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	141
Front brake application uneven	135
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	125
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	111
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	108
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	98
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	96
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	93
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	93
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	84
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	83
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	80
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	77
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	75
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	73
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	70
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	69
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	68
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	68
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	68
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	67
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	67
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	66
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	66
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	66
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	64
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	64
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	64
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	62
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	62
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	61
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	61
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	60
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	60
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	59
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	58
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	57
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	57
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	55
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	55
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	55
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	54
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	54
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	53
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	53
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	50
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	50
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	49
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	49
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	48
Windscreen washer not working	48
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	48
Brake hose damaged	48
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	47
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	47
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	47
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	46
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	46
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	46
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	44
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	44
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	44
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	44
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	43
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	42
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	41
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	41
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	39
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	39
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	38
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	38
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	38
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	38
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	38
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	38
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	37
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	36
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	36
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	35
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	35
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	35
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	34
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	34
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	34
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	33
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	33
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	33
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	32
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	32
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	32
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	31
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	31
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	30
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	30
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	30
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	30
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	29
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	29
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	29
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	28
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	28
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	28
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	28
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	28
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	28
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	27
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	27
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	27
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	27
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	27
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	26
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	26
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	26
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\|	26
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	26
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	26
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	25
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	25
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	24
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	24
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	24
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\|	24
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\|	24
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	23
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	23
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	23
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	22
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	22
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
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\|	22
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	21
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	21
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	21
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	20
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	20
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	20
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\|	20
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	19
Offside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	19
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	19
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\|	19
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	19
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position \|6.4.1\|	19
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	18
Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.3.A.2\|	18
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	18
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	18
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	18
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	18
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	18
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	18
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	18
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	18
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	18
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	17
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	17
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	17
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	17
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	17
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	17
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	17
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	17
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	17
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	16
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	16
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	16
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	16
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	16
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	16
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	16
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	15
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	15
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	15
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	15
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	15
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	15
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	15
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	15
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	15

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 1970

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