Petrol Volkswagen Beetle: MOT pass rate

62.9% of petrol Volkswagen Beetles pass the MOT first time, measured across 33,409 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 81,086.

Petrol against the other Volkswagen Beetle versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Volkswagen Beetle specifically, diesel is the strongest at 66.1%, and this petrol version sits 0.8 points below the 63.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 petrol Volkswagen Beetle had covered 81,086 miles at test, against 87,744 for the diesel. 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 petrol Volkswagen Beetle

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 2.9% of tests (8.23x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.9% of tests (6.59x the national rate for this defect)
3. 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, 2.8% of tests (6.39x the national rate for this defect)
4. 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, 5.8% of tests (6.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 4.3% of tests (3.4x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 4% of tests (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 7% of tests (2.98x the national rate for this defect)
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4% of tests (2.61x the national rate for this defect)
9. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 4.1% of tests (2.17x the national rate for this defect)
10. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.9% of tests (2.15x the national rate for this defect)

From 33,709 DVSA-tracked petrol Volkswagen Beetle tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Beetle's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3.49% 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 petrol 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, 3.8% of tests (6.76x the national rate for this defect)
2. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.8% of tests (3.43x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 13.6% of tests (2.89x the national rate for this defect)
4. 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, 4.1% of tests (2.7x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 4.4% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)
6. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.2% of tests (1.81x the national rate for this defect)
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.7% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 8.3% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 18.1% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 22.3% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)

From 33,709 DVSA-tracked petrol Volkswagen Beetle tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Beetle fuel types

• Diesel Volkswagen Beetle - 66.1%

All Volkswagen Beetle MOT data · Every model