MOT performance
2017 Volkswagen Beetle: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 3,004 MOT tests on 2017-registered Volkswagen Beetles in 2023–2024 (on average 5.8 years old at test, median 35,951 miles), 76.4% passed first time, 18.2 points higher than the Volkswagen Beetle overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2017 Volkswagen Beetles failed 38% more often than comparable cars.
3,004 MOT tests on 1,508 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.4% | ±1.5 pts (95%), n = 3,004 |
| All Volkswagen Beetles | 58.2% | n = 91,710 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.38× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 4.7% | n = 3,004 |
| Average age at test | 5.8 years | n = 3,004 |
Where 2017 Volkswagen Beetles fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.3% | +181% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.8% | +88% |
| Tyres | 5.0% | -5% |
| Brakes | 3.4% | +4% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.4% | +1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.0% | +74% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.2% | -30% |
| Steering | 0.2% | -65% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.2% | -77% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | -19% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.1% | -65% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.86% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.49% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.70% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.23% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.33% |
Check a specific 2017 Volkswagen Beetle
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.