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Volkswagen BEETLE - 1971

159.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1971 is 132.2 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen BEETLE, model year 1971. Sample size: 153 cars, 259 tests and 414 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 153 cars

The 1971 Volkswagen Beetle shows a higher overall defect rate than the average car of the same year, with 160 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 128. This model stands out particularly in categories like Brakes and Lights & Electrics, where defect rates are significantly above the average. Notably, it has a high incidence of issues related to Body and Structure, with defects occurring at a rate of 30%. In terms of mileage, the defect rate increases notably in the 31,000 to 62,000 miles range, suggesting potential wear or maintenance concerns at this interval. Overall, while the Beetle's defects are more concentrated in specific categories, it has a clear tendency towards higher overall issues compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 153 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

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 30.3% worse
49.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 37.9 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • 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
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
Steering
▼ 16.9% worse
20.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.8 / 100 tests
  • A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
  • A steering linkage component with: relative movement between components which should be fixed
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • Steering gear casing: retaining devices dangerously loose or relative movement to chassis/bodywork visible
Visibility
▲ 7.7% better
10.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.7 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 52.0% worse
57.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 38.1 / 100 tests
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 7.5% worse
104.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 96.9 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
Body/Structure
▼ 49.0% worse
30.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.2 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
Equipment
▼ 78.0% worse
16.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.1 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • Audible warning:
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
  • 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
Other
▲ 8.0% better
30.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 32.7 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Exhaust emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 470 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: 33
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 25
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 15
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10

Serious faults (Top 10)

Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
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: 8
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 5