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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN MOTORs year 1978

Review the list of common VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLKSWAGEN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:49.48%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR year 1978 passes without issue)
Based on:1,916 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment220
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|134
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively99
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|98
Horn not working |1.6.2a|94
Registration plate lamp issues94
Brake hose excessively deteriorated80
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort68
Registration plate issues67
Brake pipe excessively corroded61
Brakes imbalanced across an axle61
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|54
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|51
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|50
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|49
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|44
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|35
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|34
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|33
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|32
Rear brake binding30
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|28
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|26
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|26
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|23
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|23
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|23
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|23
Rear brake application uneven22
Windscreen washer not working 22
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|21
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|20
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Battery insecure |1.9.1|18
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|17
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|17
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|17
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|16
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|16
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|16
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|15
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|15
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|14
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|14
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|14
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|13
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|13
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|13
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|13
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|12
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|12
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|11
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|11
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|11
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|11
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|10
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|10
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
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|10
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|10
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|10
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|10
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|10
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|9
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|9
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|9
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|9
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|9
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|9
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|9
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
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|8
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|8
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|8
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|8
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
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|8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|8
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|8
Offside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|8
Centre Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|8
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|7
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|7
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|7
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|7
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|7
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|6
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|6
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|6
Emissions not tested |7.0|6
Offside Rear Battery insecure |1.9.1|6
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|6
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|6
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|6
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|6
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))6
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))6
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|5
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||5
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|5
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|5
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||5
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|5
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|5
Nearside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|5
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Offside Front Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|5
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|5
Centre Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Windscreen has damage4
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|4
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|4
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement4
Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|4
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|4
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|4
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|4
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|4
Main beam `tell-tale` not working |1.7.4c|4
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth |3.3.A.1b|4
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|4
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|4
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|4
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.4.G.4e|4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|4
Horn emits two or more alternating tones |1.6.2d|4
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|4
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement4
Offside Battery insecure |1.9.1|4
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|4
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete |3.3.A.1b|4
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|4
Offside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|4
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|4
Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|4
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|4
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)4
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||3
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|3
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
Intermediate drop arm insecure |2.2.B.1a|3
Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|3
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.4.G.4e|3
Front brake application uneven3
rear parking |secondary| brakes imbalanced3
Front Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|3
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|3
Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|3
Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||3
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|3
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|3
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|3
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing |7.2.4c|3
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|3
Front Anti-roll bar fractured |2.4.G.1|3
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|3
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|3
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|3
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.4.A.2e|3
Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|3
Nearside Front Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.4.G.4e|3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Offside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Nearside Outer Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))3
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)3
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))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.

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