MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs year 1976

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:53.09%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE year 1976 passes without issue)

Based on:1,846 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	253
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	114
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	96
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	89
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	72
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	69
Registration plate lamp issues	69
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	67
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Registration plate issues	57
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	57
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	53
Brake pipe excessively corroded	51
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	48
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	45
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	44
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	41
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	38
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	30
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	29
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Rear brake binding	26
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	24
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Rear brake application uneven	21
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	21
Front brake application uneven	21
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	20
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	20
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	20
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	19
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	16
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	16
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	14
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	14
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	14
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	13
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	13
Brake hose damaged	13
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	12
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	12
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	11
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	11
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	11
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	11
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	11
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	10
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	9
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	9
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	8
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	8
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	7
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	7
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	6
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	6
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	6
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\|	6
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	5
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	5
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	5
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Nearside Front front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	5
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	5
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	5
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\|	5
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\|	5
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	5
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	4
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	4
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	4
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	4
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	4
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	4
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	4
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	4
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	3
Front Steering damper leaking oil \|2.2.C.1f\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	3
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Windscreen has damage	3
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	3
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\|	3
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	3
Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	3
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Centre Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	3
rear parking \|secondary\| brakes imbalanced	3
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	3
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	3
Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	3
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside front brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	3
Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.3.A.2\|	3
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured \|2.4.G.1\|	3
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users \|6.1.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3

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 1976

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