2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Volkswagen Beetle MOT pass rate and common faults

3,337 MOT tests in 2024. 48.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

85Well below average
Passed first time48.0%
Failed or needed repairs52.0%
Typical mileage at test104,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,337 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.9%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.7%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.4%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault5.7%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.2%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.3%
  8. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.9%
  10. Stop lamp: not working3.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics41.1%
  2. Emissions & leaks23.8%
  3. Brakes21.9%
  4. Suspension21.7%
  5. Body & chassis16.8%
  6. Steering10.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.7%
  8. Seat belts & airbags8.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.7%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.4%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?

In 2024, 48.0% of 2004 Volkswagen Beetle cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,337 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 85, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).