2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Volkswagen Beetle MOT pass rate and common faults

1,764 MOT tests in 2024. 53.2% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time53.2%
Failed or needed repairs46.8%
Typical mileage at test85,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,764 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.2%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.3%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.1%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.7%
  5. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam4.1%
  7. Stop lamp: not working4.0%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.4%
  2. Suspension23.5%
  3. Brakes14.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.2%
  6. Steering10.1%
  7. Body & chassis8.7%
  8. Tyres6.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.1%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.7%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.4%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2009 Volkswagen Beetle?

In 2024, 53.2% of 2009 Volkswagen Beetle cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,764 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Volkswagen Beetle?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).