2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Volkswagen Beetle MOT pass rate and common faults

653 MOT tests in 2024. 55.7% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time55.7%
Failed or needed repairs44.3%
Typical mileage at test74,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 653 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.4%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.4%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.2%
  7. Stop lamp: not working2.9%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  9. Headlamp: not working on main beam2.6%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    21 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics30.6%
  2. Suspension19.4%
  3. Brakes16.2%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  6. Body & chassis6.4%
  7. Tyres5.4%
  8. Steering5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.0%

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 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

In 2024, 55.7% of 2011 Volkswagen Beetle cars passed their MOT first time, across 653 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).