Skip to main content

Volkswagen BEETLE - 1972

154.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1972 is 134.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen BEETLE, model year 1972. Sample size: 224 cars, 361 tests and 559 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 224 cars

The 1972 Volkswagen Beetle has a higher overall defect rate of 155 per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 135 per 100, making it 15% more prone to defects. Notably, the model performs significantly worse in categories such as brakes, steering, visibility, and lights and electrics, with defect rates exceeding the average by up to 36%. Interestingly, it shows a relatively lower issue rate for equipment, performing better than average in that category. Additionally, the model exhibits a trend of increased defects with mileage, particularly in the lower mileage segments.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 224 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
▼ 26.4% worse
59.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 47.3 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Braking effort: not recording at a wheel
  • 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
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
Steering
▼ 35.4% worse
26.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 19.2 / 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 rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
Visibility
▼ 24.6% worse
17.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.2 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▼ 24.2% worse
48.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 39.3 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 13.8% worse
101.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 89.1 / 100 tests
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▼ 0.5% worse
21.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.5 / 100 tests
  • 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 driver’s seat: insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • 6.1.1 (d) (i)
Equipment
▲ 25.0% better
7.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.6 / 100 tests
  • Audible warning:
  • Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
  • Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
  • 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
  • Audible warning not in accordance with requirements
Other
▲ 7.2% better
27.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.2 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking continuously and likely to pose a serious risk to road safety
  • 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
0 402 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: 48
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 28
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 17
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 14
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 14

Serious faults (Top 10)

Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
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: 11
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
FAIL
Occurrences: 7