VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,760 MOT tests from 240 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has the same fault.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 557/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	745/999Very good	93,033 miles	502 vehicles
N/A	N/A	727/999Very good	89,531 miles	859 vehicles
N/A	N/A	699/999Good	81,711 miles	1,056 vehicles
N/A	N/A	692/999Good	83,142 miles	1,081 vehicles
N/A	N/A	636/999Good	93,282 miles	1,589 vehicles
N/A	N/A	617/999Good	92,206 miles	1,064 vehicles
N/A	N/A	602/999Good	84,930 miles	1,671 vehicles
N/A	N/A	596/999Above average	82,207 miles	1,437 vehicles
N/A	N/A	582/999Above average	82,575 miles	1,259 vehicles
N/A	N/A	568/999Above average	91,369 miles	780 vehicles
N/A	N/A	444/999Average	100,858 miles	957 vehicles
N/A	N/A	412/999Average	84,134 miles	2,794 vehicles
N/A	N/A	405/999Average	85,643 miles	3,106 vehicles
N/A	N/A	404/999Average	83,890 miles	3,453 vehicles
N/A	N/A	404/999Average	81,805 miles	3,735 vehicles
N/A	N/A	386/999Fair	94,745 miles	566 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE?

Based on 3,760 MOT tests from 240 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

240

MOT tests

3,760

Pass rate

73.1%

Median mileage

80,468 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 576 out of 999.

Common VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 694 advisory comments and 43 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 151 advisory comments and 62 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 149 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 142 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 73 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: REAR FOG LAMP NOT WORKING (4.5.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 48 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 44 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 37 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2018	7	40	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	6	49	79.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2016	9	79	78.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2015	9	68	80.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2014	15	133	82.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	26	348	77.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	20	286	78.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2010	14	275	69.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2009	12	218	72%	Tyre wear, Exhaust
2008	9	186	72.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	12	264	72.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2006	14	322	69.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2005	13	310	74.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2004	13	266	72.9%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
2003	8	191	71.2%	Coil spring issues, Tyre wear
2002	6	165	73.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2001	5	80	71.3%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
1973	7	54	53.7%	Corrosion, Other steering issues
1972	5	58	70.7%	Corrosion, Headlamp faults

What to check when buying a used VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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