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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGENs year 1979

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:54.80%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN year 1979 passes without issue)
Based on:2,071 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment221
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|145
Registration plate lamp issues111
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively102
Brake hose excessively deteriorated96
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|93
Horn not working |1.6.2a|90
Brake pipe excessively corroded78
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort63
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|59
Brakes imbalanced across an axle58
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|55
Registration plate issues54
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|49
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|48
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|44
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|42
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|42
Rear brake binding37
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|35
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|33
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|32
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|32
Rear brake application uneven29
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|27
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|26
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|26
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|24
Windscreen washer not working 23
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|20
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|20
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|19
Front brake application uneven18
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|18
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|18
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|17
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|17
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|16
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|16
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|16
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|16
Battery insecure |1.9.1|16
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|14
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|14
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|14
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|13
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|13
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|13
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|12
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|12
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement12
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|11
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|11
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|11
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|11
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||10
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|10
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|10
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|10
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|9
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|9
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|9
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|9
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|9
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|8
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|8
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|8
Offside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|8
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|7
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
Windscreen wiper blade insecure7
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|7
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|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
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing |7.2.4c|7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|6
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|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
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|6
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))6
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|6
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|6
Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|6
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|6
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|6
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|5
Nearside Inner Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||5
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||5
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|5
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|5
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|5
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|5
Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))5
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement5
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|5
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|5
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|5
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|5
Emissions not tested |7.0|5
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|5
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|5
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|5
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||5
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|4
Centre Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|4
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|4
Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|4
Nearside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.2.C.1h|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Offside Front Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|4
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|4
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|4
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|4
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|4
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|4
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|4
Nearside Rear Battery insecure |1.9.1|4
Offside Rear Battery insecure |1.9.1|4
Horn control missing |1.6.1|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|4
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|4
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||4
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
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|4
Offside Rear Brake back plate|s| securing device excessively deteriorated |3.5.1j|4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|4
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|4
Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|4
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting cracked |2.4.G.1|3
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|3
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.2.6|3
Offside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|3
Offside Inner Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Brake hose has insufficient room to move3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Centre Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Offside Front Upper Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|3
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|3
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|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
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|3
Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|3
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, 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
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|3
Front Steering damper damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|3
Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|3
Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|3
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|3
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|3
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|3
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|3
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|3
Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|3
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted |7.3.B.1|3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Centre Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Windscreen has damage3
Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||3
Lower Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|3
rear parking |secondary| brakes imbalanced3
Main beam `tell-tale` not working |1.7.4c|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|3
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Front brake excessively fluctuating3

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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