MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1974

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:53.80%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1974 passes without issue)

Based on:4,652 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	774
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	340
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	224
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	194
Registration plate issues	186
Registration plate lamp issues	179
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	173
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	165
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	156
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	155
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	154
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	108
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	106
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	95
Brake pipe excessively corroded	90
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	81
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	80
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	73
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	70
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	69
Front brake application uneven	67
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	65
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	61
Rear brake application uneven	61
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	60
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	56
Rear brake binding	53
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	51
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	50
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	48
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	46
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	45
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	44
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	44
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	43
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	43
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	42
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	41
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	40
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	37
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	37
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	37
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	37
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	36
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	35
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	35
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	35
Windscreen washer not working	34
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	34
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	33
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	33
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	32
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	32
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	30
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	30
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	30
Brake hose damaged	29
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	29
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	29
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	28
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	27
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	27
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	26
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	25
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	25
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	24
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	23
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	22
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	22
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	21
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	21
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	21
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	21
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	20
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	20
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	20
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	19
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	19
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	19
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	19
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	19
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	19
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	18
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	18
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	18
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	17
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	17
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	16
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	16
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	15
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	15
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	15
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	15
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	15
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	15
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	15
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	14
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	14
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	14
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	14
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	14
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	14
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	13
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	13
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	13
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Centre Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	12
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	12
Offside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	11
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	11
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	11
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	11
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	11
An item not tested \|Manual\|	11
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	11
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	10
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	10
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	10
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	10
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	10
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	9
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	9
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	9
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
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 Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	9
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	9
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	8
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	8
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	8
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	8
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Windscreen washer control missing \|8.2.1a\|	8
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	8
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\|	8
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\|	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	8
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	8
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	8
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	8
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	7
Offside Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	7
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	7
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	7
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	7
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	7
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	7
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\|	7
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	7
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.3.A.2\|	7
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	7
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	7
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7

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 1974

Find us on Facebook