MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1972

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:57.57%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1972 passes without issue)

Based on:6,681 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	922
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	383
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	293
Registration plate lamp issues	272
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	260
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	217
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	207
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	175
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	166
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	152
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	134
Registration plate issues	131
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	129
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	126
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	124
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	123
Brake pipe excessively corroded	122
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	116
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	108
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	106
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	102
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	99
Rear brake binding	96
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	92
Front brake application uneven	80
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	79
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	79
Rear brake application uneven	70
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	68
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	68
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	67
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	67
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	66
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	56
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	55
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	49
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	49
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	49
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	48
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	48
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	47
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	47
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	46
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	44
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	44
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	43
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	42
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	41
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	41
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	40
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	39
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	37
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	37
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	35
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	35
Windscreen washer not working	35
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	35
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	34
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	33
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	32
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	32
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	32
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	31
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	31
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	31
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	30
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	30
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Brake hose damaged	29
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	28
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	28
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	27
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	25
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	25
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	25
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	24
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	24
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	24
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	24
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	24
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	23
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Offside Front 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
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	22
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	22
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	22
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	22
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	21
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	21
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	20
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	20
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	20
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	19
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	19
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	19
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	19
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	19
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	19
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	18
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	18
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	18
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	18
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	18
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	18
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	18
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	18
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	17
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	17
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	17
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	17
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	17
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	17
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	17
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	17
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	17
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.4\|	16
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	16
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	16
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	16
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	16
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	16
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	16
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	16
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	15
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	15
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	15
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	15
An item not tested \|Manual\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	14
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	14
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	14
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	14
Nearside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	14
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	14
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	13
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	13
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	13
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	13
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	13
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	13
Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	13
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	13
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	13
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Centre Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	12
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	12
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	12
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	12
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	12
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	12
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	12
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	12
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	11
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	11
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	11
Offside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	11
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	11
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	10
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	10
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	10
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	10
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	10
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	10
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	10
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	10
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	10
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
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\|	9
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	9
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
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\|	9
Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	9
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	9
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	9
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position \|6.4.1\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
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\|	9

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 1972

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