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Volkswagen BEETLE - 1973

136.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1973 is 134.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen BEETLE, model year 1973. Sample size: 200 cars, 315 tests and 431 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 200 cars

The 1973 Volkswagen Beetle shows a slightly higher overall defect rate than the average car of the same year, with 137 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 134. Notably, the Beetle performs better in terms of visibility issues, with a rate of 10% compared to the average of 13%. However, it faces more challenges with steering, showing 22% defects compared to the average of 17%. Mileage-related trends indicate that the defect rate increases significantly with higher mileage, particularly in the 62,000–93,000 miles segment, where the Beetle has a rate of 372 defects per 100 cars, compared to the overall average of 350.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 200 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
▼ 16.2% worse
50.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 43.7 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: slightly damaged, chafed or twisted
  • Service brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
  • 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
  • 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
Steering
▼ 29.8% worse
22.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.1 / 100 tests
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
  • Steering linkage fouling any part of the vehicle
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 22.7% better
10.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.2 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 7.6% worse
41.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 38.4 / 100 tests
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 4.5% better
89.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 93.7 / 100 tests
  • 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 pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
Body/Structure
▼ 10.0% worse
28.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 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
  • Body, cab or chassis: corroded at mounting points to the extent that overall security or stability is seriously impaired
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 16.2% better
5.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 6.8 / 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
  • 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:
  • Seat belt anchorage loose
Other
▲ 13.9% better
25.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.5 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • 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
0 505 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: 38
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 17
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 12
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 10
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
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: 9
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Service brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 4