MOT performance
Volkswagen Beetle: lights, reflectors and electrical MOT failures
19.5% of 91,710 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Beetle in 2023–2024 failed on lights, reflectors and electrical, against 11.2% for all cars. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Volkswagen Beetles failed on lights, reflectors and electrical 23% more often than comparable cars, from 17,898 tests with a lights, reflectors and electrical failure.
91,710 MOT tests on 48,073 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tests failed on lights, reflectors and electrical | 19.5% | 17,898 of 91,710 tests |
| All cars | 11.2% | n = 65,477,892 |
| vs similar cars | +23% | same age, mileage and fuel |
Lights, reflectors and electrical items that fail most
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.68% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.38% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.32% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.17% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.86% |
By registration year
| Registered | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,820 | 4.7% | +41% |
| 2017 | 3,004 | 7.8% | +88% |
| 2016 | 4,544 | 9.7% | +75% |
| 2015 | 6,518 | 10.1% | +42% |
| 2014 | 7,198 | 12.6% | +37% |
| 2013 | 8,862 | 12.9% | +11% |
| 2012 | 4,519 | 14.1% | +1% |
| 2011 | 1,331 | 17.4% | +7% |
| 2010 | 4,265 | 20.8% | +21% |
| 2009 | 3,633 | 23.2% | +23% |
| 2008 | 4,978 | 25.3% | +25% |
| 2007 | 6,006 | 24.8% | +18% |
| 2006 | 6,538 | 23.6% | +7% |
| 2005 | 6,761 | 25.3% | +15% |
| 2004 | 7,627 | 26.8% | +21% |
| 2003 | 5,711 | 28.2% | +27% |
| 2002 | 2,796 | 30.0% | +42% |
| 2001 | 2,363 | 27.1% | +38% |
| 2000 | 1,602 | 26.6% | +50% |
| 1973 | 353 | 16.1% | +43% |
| 1972 | 362 | 17.7% | +56% |
What this does and doesn't tell you
A higher failure rate on lights, reflectors and electrical can reflect the design, typical use or how often owners replace parts before the MOT. It doesn't tell you about any one car: a specific Volkswagen Beetle's MOT history does. See MOT check.
Check a specific 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.
Related
- All Volkswagen Beetle MOT results
- Lights, reflectors and electrical failures across all cars
- Volkswagen Beetle: steering
- Volkswagen Beetle: suspension
- Volkswagen Beetle: body, chassis and structure
- Volkswagen Beetle: noise, emissions and leaks
- Volkswagen Beetle: seat belts and airbags
- How repair costs are estimated