Volkswagen Beetle MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Volkswagen Beetle. Check any Beetle by registration number below.

Free, instant, no sign-up required.

70.8%

Avg Pass Rate

-14.9%

vs Volkswagen Avg

Year Ranges

Average

Reliability

Volkswagen Beetle — MOT Reliability Overview

The Volkswagen Beetle has an average MOT pass rate of 70.8%, which is 14.9 percentage points below the Volkswagen brand average of 85.7%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your Beetle on the road.

The most common reasons a Volkswagen Beetle fails its MOT are number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. If you are preparing your Beetle for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Volkswagen Beetle, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Volkswagen Beetle performs at MOT across different model years.

2019

Based on 33 vehicles

78.8%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.0%

Mileage at 3yr

29k mi

Mileage at 5yr

73k mi

2018

Based on 2,285 vehicles

83.2%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

18.5%

Mileage at 5yr

46k mi

2017

Based on 3,883 vehicles

80.3%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

21.7%

Mileage at 5yr

49k mi

2016

Based on 5,874 vehicles

77.1%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

24.9%

2015

Based on 8,287 vehicles

75.4%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.2%

Retest Rate

26.3%

Mileage at 10yr

104k mi

2014

Based on 9,337 vehicles

73.5%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

27.4%

Mileage at 10yr

104k mi

2013

Based on 11,689 vehicles

71.3%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

30.7%

Mileage at 10yr

109k mi

2012

Based on 6,018 vehicles

72.2%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

28.5%

Mileage at 10yr

116k mi

2011

Based on 1,654 vehicles

67.9%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.4%

Retest Rate

31.2%

2010

Based on 5,163 vehicles

64.3%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

35.3%

2009

Based on 4,588 vehicles

62.1%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.5%

Retest Rate

35.3%

2008

Based on 6,189 vehicles

57.4%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

7.4%

Retest Rate

37.0%

2007

Based on 7,621 vehicles

56.0%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

35.9%

2006

Based on 8,286 vehicles

57.0%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

34.6%

2005

Based on 8,346 vehicles

59.2%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.9%

Retest Rate

35.7%

2004

Based on 9,539 vehicles

56.2%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

33.9%

2003

Based on 7,040 vehicles

56.2%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.6%

Retest Rate

34.1%

2002

Based on 3,430 vehicles

56.5%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

7.4%

Retest Rate

32.8%

2001

Based on 2,924 vehicles

56.4%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.3%

Retest Rate

34.0%

2000

Based on 1,995 vehicles

55.6%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.1%

Retest Rate

38.4%

1999

Based on 175 vehicles

65.1%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

24.1%

1998

Based on 84 vehicles

75.0%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.5%

Retest Rate

12.9%

1997

Based on 99 vehicles

60.6%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.7%

Retest Rate

18.6%

1992

Based on 41 vehicles

82.9%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

3.6%

1991

Based on 36 vehicles

61.1%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

22.6%

1990

Based on 52 vehicles

75.0%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

26.7%

1989

Based on 55 vehicles

74.5%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

29.7%

1986

Based on 31 vehicles

58.1%Below Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Retest Rate

41.2%

1985

Based on 103 vehicles

87.4%Excellent

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.6%

Retest Rate

7.9%

1984

Based on 62 vehicles

87.1%Excellent

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

2.4%

1979

Based on 33 vehicles

90.9%Excellent

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.5%

1978

Based on 54 vehicles

87.0%Excellent

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

5.9%

1977

Based on 36 vehicles

80.6%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

23.8%

1976

Based on 36 vehicles

72.2%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

22.7%

1975

Based on 80 vehicles

71.3%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

9.8%

Retest Rate

31.7%

1974

Based on 172 vehicles

83.7%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

9.5%

1973

Based on 439 vehicles

81.5%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

9.7%

1972

Based on 422 vehicles

78.2%Good

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.0%

Retest Rate

15.3%

0

Based on 63,578 vehicles

72.3%Average

Volkswagen average: 85.7%

Mileage at 5yr

81k mi

Top MOT Failures — Volkswagen Beetle

The most common reasons a Volkswagen Beetle fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements

33.3%

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

7.3%

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

4.2%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

3.7%

An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

3.4%

Volkswagen Beetle Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

15.2%

Offside

15.2%

Rear Offside

12.1%

Other Volkswagen Models

Compare MOT reliability across Volkswagen models.

Volkswagen Passat Variant Syncro

92.3% pass rate

Volkswagen Vento

88.2% pass rate

Volkswagen Golf Variant 1km

92.9% pass rate

Volkswagen T-roc Black Edition Tsi

93.5% pass rate

Volkswagen Golf Sv Se Navigation Tsi

75.0% pass rate

Volkswagen LT

60.3% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Volkswagen Beetle MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Beetle?

The average MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Beetle is 70.8% compared to the Volkswagen average of 85.7%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Beetle?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Beetle are: Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements (33.3%), The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (7.3%), The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (4.2%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 70.8%, the Volkswagen Beetle is rated as "Average" for reliability. This is around average — regular maintenance is recommended to avoid common failure points.

How do I check the MOT history of a Volkswagen Beetle?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Volkswagen Beetle?

Typical mileage for the Volkswagen Beetle: 28,580 miles at 3 years, 72,677 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used Beetle to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Volkswagen Beetle's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.