MOT fail rates by first-use year
2001 Volkswagen Beetle MOT fail rate and common faults
How Volkswagen Beetle cars first used in 2001 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 4,078 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 23 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 23 years old, Volkswagen Beetle cars first used in 2001 failed 49.5% of MOTs (1,031 tests), 9.8 points above the 39.6% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 21 to 23 years old, the fail rate moved from 51.1% to 49.5%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Volkswagen Beetle at 23 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 5.7 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 3.9).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 21 years | 51.1% | 1,694 | 42.1% | +9.0 pts |
| 2023 | 22 years | 50.9% | 1,353 | 41.0% | +9.9 pts |
| 2024 | 23 years | 49.5% | 1,031 | 39.6% | +9.8 pts |
Most common faults at 23 years
These figures cover all Volkswagen Beetle MOTs at 23 years: cars first used 2000 to 2002, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,009). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 7.5 | 2.7 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 7.2 | 3.4 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 5.7 | 3.9 |
| Engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault | 5.7 | 1.3 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 4.8 | 1.5 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 4.3 | 3.5 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 4.2 | 2.0 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | 3.4 | 1.2 |
| Coil spring broken | 3.4 | 1.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,009). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 17.4 | 9.9 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 16.8 | 15.2 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 14.8 | 15.4 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 14.4 | 7.7 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 13.1 | 10.3 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 12.7 | 12.6 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 10.7 | 6.1 |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 9.1 | 3.6 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 8.9 | 6.6 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 6.3 | 5.5 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,009). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 23 years
These figures cover all Volkswagen Beetle MOTs at 23 years: cars first used 2000 to 2002, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,009). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 95.5% | 49.1% | 2,872 | 39.1% | 99,720 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2001 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
- A car first used in 2001 can fall under either rule, so the registration date on the logbook decides.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2001 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2001 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Volkswagen Beetle
Other Volkswagen models first used in 2001
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf (2001) | 24 years in 2025 | 40.9% | 6,513 | 37.8% |
| Volkswagen Polo (2001) | 24 years in 2025 | 44.5% | 3,142 | 37.8% |
| Volkswagen Passat (2001) | 23 years in 2024 | 42.9% | 1,018 | 39.6% |
More on the Volkswagen Beetle
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2001 Volkswagen Beetle cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.