MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1971

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:53.75%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1971 passes without issue)

Based on:48,963 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	7335
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	3052
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	2239
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2036
Registration plate lamp issues	1942
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	1713
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	1685
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1641
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1589
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	1275
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1212
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1151
Registration plate issues	1106
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1095
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1020
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1012
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	986
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	980
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	975
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	847
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	833
Rear brake binding	815
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	791
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	778
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	722
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	713
Front brake application uneven	682
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	663
Rear brake application uneven	642
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	588
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	531
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	470
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	464
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	449
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	440
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	436
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	430
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	415
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	414
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	409
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	408
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	407
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	398
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	393
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	388
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	383
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	382
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	352
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	346
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	340
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	337
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	333
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	330
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	323
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	317
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	309
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	307
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	306
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	298
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	287
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	287
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	284
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	279
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	279
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	279
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	276
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	273
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	272
Brake hose damaged	272
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	270
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	267
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	265
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	262
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	261
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	251
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	249
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	248
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	238
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	234
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	232
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	227
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	226
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	217
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	213
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	212
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	212
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	208
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	206
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	206
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	205
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	198
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	194
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	194
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	193
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	190
Windscreen washer not working	187
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	184
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	183
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	183
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	182
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	180
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	180
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	179
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	179
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	179
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	178
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	175
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	174
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	174
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	172
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	167
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	165
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	163
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	161
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	159
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	159
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	158
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	157
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	155
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	155
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	153
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	152
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	152
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	152
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	151
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	150
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	148
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	148
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	147
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	146
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	146
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	145
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	145
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	142
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	142
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	140
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	140
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	139
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	136
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	134
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	134
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	134
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	133
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	132
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	132
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	132
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	131
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	131
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	130
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	127
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	127
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	125
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	124
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	123
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	122
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	121
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	120
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	119
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	119
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	117
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	116
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	116
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\|	115
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	112
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	109
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	109
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	107
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	107
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	106
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	105
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	105
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	104
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	103
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	102
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	102
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	101
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	99
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	99
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	99
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	99
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	98
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	98
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\|	97
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	97
Offside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	96
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	95
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	95
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\|	95
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\|	94
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	94
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\|	94
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	93
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	92
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	92
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\|	91
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	91
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	90
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	90
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	90
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	89
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	89
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	88
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.4\|	88
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	87
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	87
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	86
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	86
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	86
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	85
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	85
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	85
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	84
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	83
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	83
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	81
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	80
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position \|6.4.1\|	80
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	79
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\|	79
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	79
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	78
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	78
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	78
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	77
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	77
An item not tested \|Manual\|	77
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	76
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\|	76
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	75
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	75
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	74
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	74
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	72
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	72
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	71
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	71
Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	71
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	70
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	70
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	70
Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	70
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	69
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	69
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	69
Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.3.A.2\|	69
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	68
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	68
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	68
Centre Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	68
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	68

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 1971

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