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Volkswagen BEETLE - 1970

150.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1970 is 101.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen BEETLE, model year 1970. Sample size: 106 cars, 163 tests and 245 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 106 cars

The 1970 Volkswagen Beetle has a significantly higher overall defect rate of 150 defects per 100 vehicles, compared to the yearly average of 118 defects per 100 vehicles, marking an increase of 28%. Notably, this model shows a concerning trend in steering issues, with a defect rate of 32%, which is much higher than the average of 17%. Additionally, it also has elevated rates in lights and electrics, body and structure, and equipment defects, all exceeding their respective averages. Despite these concerns, no specific common issues related to tyre wear are highlighted in the data. Overall, the Beetle's performance in key areas indicates a need for attention, especially in steering and electrical systems.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 106 cars

More model years for Volkswagen BEETLE

1970 1971 1972 1973 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Other models from Volkswagen

Volkswagen AMAROK Volkswagen ARTEON Volkswagen BEETLE Volkswagen BORA Volkswagen CADDY Volkswagen CALIFORNIA Volkswagen CAMPER Volkswagen CARAVELLE Volkswagen CC Volkswagen CORRADO Volkswagen CRAFTER Volkswagen E-GOLF Volkswagen E-UP Volkswagen EOS Volkswagen FOX Volkswagen GOLF Volkswagen GRAND CALIFORNIA Volkswagen HIGH UP Volkswagen ID3 Volkswagen ID4 Volkswagen ID5 Volkswagen JETTA Volkswagen LT Volkswagen LUPO Volkswagen MOTOR CARAVAN Volkswagen MOVE UP Volkswagen PASSAT Volkswagen POLO Volkswagen SCIROCCO Volkswagen SHARAN Volkswagen T-CROSS Volkswagen T-ROC Volkswagen TAIGO Volkswagen TIGUAN Volkswagen TOUAREG Volkswagen TOURAN Volkswagen TRANSPORTER Volkswagen UP

Categories

Brakes
▼ 39.7% worse
50.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 36.0 / 100 tests
  • Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▼ 75.3% worse
31.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.2 / 100 tests
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering box: leaking oil
  • A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
Visibility
▲ 0.0% better
9.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.8 / 100 tests
  • Obligatory mirror or device missing
  • Wiper not operating or missing
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▼ 71.7% worse
57.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 33.6 / 100 tests
  • A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
  • Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 43.0% worse
94.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.1 / 100 tests
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▼ 104.4% worse
18.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.0 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 41.9% worse
6.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 4.3 / 100 tests
  • Audible warning:
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
Other
▼ 20.8% worse
31.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.4 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 350 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 15
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 10
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 7
A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
MINOR
Occurrences: 6
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6

Serious faults (Top 10)

A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Headlamp aim unable to be tested
FAIL
Occurrences: 3