MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGENs year 1971

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

mot history

Pass percent:52.78%

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

Based on:10,185 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1488
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	741
Registration plate lamp issues	529
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	513
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	465
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	457
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	446
Brake pipe excessively corroded	409
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	351
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	330
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	297
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	293
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	269
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	259
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	250
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	234
Rear brake binding	230
Registration plate issues	229
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	199
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	183
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	149
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	149
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	145
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	141
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	138
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	128
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	127
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	126
Rear brake application uneven	119
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	118
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	118
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	113
Front brake application uneven	109
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	103
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	102
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	102
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	99
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	97
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	97
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	95
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	95
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	90
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	89
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	88
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	86
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	83
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	83
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	83
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	80
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	78
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	78
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	75
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	75
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	73
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	71
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	71
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	70
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	69
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	69
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	67
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	67
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	63
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	61
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	61
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	60
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	60
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	59
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	59
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	58
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	58
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	57
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	57
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	57
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	57
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	55
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	55
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	55
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	54
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	54
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	54
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	54
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	53
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	53
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	51
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	50
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	49
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	48
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	47
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	47
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	47
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	45
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	43
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	43
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	42
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Windscreen washer not working	42
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	41
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	41
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	39
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	39
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	38
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	37
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	37
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	37
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	37
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	37
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	35
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	35
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	34
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	34
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Indicator switch insecure \|1.4.A.1\|	33
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	33
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	33
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	33
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	32
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	32
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	31
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	31
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	31
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	31
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	31
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	31
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	31
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	30
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	30
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	30
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	30
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	30
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	29
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	29
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	29
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	28
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	28
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	28
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	28
Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.3.A.2\|	27
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	27
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	27
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	27
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	26
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	26
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	26
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	26
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	26
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	25
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	25
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	25
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	24
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	24
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	24
An item not tested \|Manual\|	24
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	24
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	23
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	23
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	23
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	23
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	23
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	23
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	23
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	23
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	23
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	22
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	22
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	22
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	22
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	22
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	22
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	22
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	22
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.4\|	22
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	22
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	22
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	22
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	21
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	21
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	21
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Centre Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	21
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	20
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	20
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	20
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	20
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	20
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	20
Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
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\|	19
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\|	19
Brake hose damaged	19
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	19
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	19
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	18
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	18
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	18
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	18
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	18
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	18
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	18
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	17
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	17
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	17
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	17
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	17
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps \|1.7.4b\|	17
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	17
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	17
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	16
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	16
Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	16
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	16
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\|	16
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	16
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	16
Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	16
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	16
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	16
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	16
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	16
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn \|7.2.4c\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	16
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	15
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	15
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
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\|	15
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\|	15
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	15
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	15
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	15
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	15
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	15
Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	15

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 VOLKSWAGENs year 1971

Find us on Facebook