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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGENs year 1978

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:49.76%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN year 1978 passes without issue)
Based on:1,642 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment190
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|135
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively119
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|96
Horn not working |1.6.2a|88
Registration plate lamp issues79
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort65
Brake hose excessively deteriorated59
Brake pipe excessively corroded58
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|58
Brakes imbalanced across an axle47
Registration plate issues46
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|41
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|35
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|34
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|33
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|31
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|31
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|29
Rear brake application uneven29
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|27
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|25
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|24
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|22
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|21
Windscreen washer not working 21
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|20
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|19
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|19
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|18
Rear brake binding18
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|16
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|16
Battery insecure |1.9.1|16
Front brake application uneven15
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|15
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|15
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|15
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|14
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|14
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|13
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|13
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|12
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|11
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|11
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|10
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|10
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|10
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|10
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|9
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|9
Emissions not tested |7.0|9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|9
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|9
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|8
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|8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|8
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|8
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|8
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|8
Centre Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|8
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|7
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|7
Main beam `tell-tale` not working |1.7.4c|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
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|7
Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|7
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|7
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|7
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|7
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|7
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|6
Horn sounds harsh or grating |1.6.2e|6
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|6
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|6
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|6
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|6
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|6
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))6
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|6
Brake hose damaged6
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement6
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|5
Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))5
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|5
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|5
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|5
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||5
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|5
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|5
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|4
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|4
Offside Rear Battery insecure |1.9.1|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete |3.3.A.1b|4
Brake hose has insufficient room to move4
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|4
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|4
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|4
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|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 Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|4
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|4
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|4
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|4
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|4
Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|4
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|3
Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|3
Nearside Rear Battery insecure |1.9.1|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|3
Nearside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|3
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|3
Nearside Rear Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|3
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|3
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|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|3
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|3
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|3
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|3
Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Front Statutory seat belt of the wrong type. |5.1.1|3
Offside Front Statutory seat belt of the wrong type. |5.1.1|3
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure |2.1.2d|3
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|3
Nearside Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|3
Front Steering damper damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|3
Rear Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Windscreen has damage3
Nearside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.3.A.2|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|3
Nearside Front Axle beam cracked |2.5.A.5a|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. |6.7.3|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|3
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|3
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|3
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn |7.2.4c|3
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed |6.2.B.1a|3
Nearside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||3
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|3
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|3
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|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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