Diesel Volkswagen Beetle: MOT pass rate

66.1% of diesel Volkswagen Beetles pass the MOT first time, measured across 10,788 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 87,744.

Diesel against the other Volkswagen Beetle versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volkswagen Beetle specifically, diesel is the strongest at 66.1%, and this diesel version sits 2.4 points above the 63.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Volkswagen Beetle is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volkswagen Beetle had covered 87,744 miles at test, against 81,086 for the petrol. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volkswagen Beetle page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volkswagen Beetle

1. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 5.9% of tests (13.47x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.6% of tests (3.77x the national rate for this defect)
3. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.5% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 5.5% of tests (2.4x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 11.8% of tests (2.36x the national rate for this defect)
6. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.9% of tests (2.25x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect)
8. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.4% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.66x the national rate for this defect)
10. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.2% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)

From 10,838 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Beetle tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Beetle's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.4% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volkswagen Beetle

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 2.4% of tests (4.31x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 10.5% of tests (2.23x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 4.3% of tests (2.17x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.3% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 17.6% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18.2% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 18.8% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.3% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.8% of tests

From 10,838 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Beetle tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Beetle fuel types

• Petrol Volkswagen Beetle - 62.9%

All Volkswagen Beetle MOT data · Every model