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Volkswagen Beetle reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20191 named generationHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volkswagen Beetle built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Beetles built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen Beetle by number plate

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetles built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Beetles built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Beetle's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Beetle's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Beetle A5

A5 (2012-2019)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

19.1% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,625 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL

37.2% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,799 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Beetle.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Beetle

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Beetle generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
A5 (2012-2019)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings19.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,625 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating37.2%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,799 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Beetle, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volkswagen Beetle fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Beetle ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
26414.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,62519.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,25822.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3,48223.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4,61624.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5,47126.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5,17325.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,43426.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,13432.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,59132.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,49535.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,71136.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,36536.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,46436.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,70435.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,79937.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,94935.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,15634.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
99935.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,71023.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Beetle stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volkswagen models

12th of 16

12th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

62nd of 84

62nd lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

19.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volkswagen Beetles

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Beetles, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.8%
    Advisory: 406Fail: 38 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    11.9%
    Advisory: 176Fail: 120 (41% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    11.1%
    Advisory: 258Fail: 23 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.5%
    Advisory: 162Fail: 14 (8% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.4%
    Advisory: 122Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,625 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Beetles, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volkswagen Beetles notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Suspension + Tyres28%
  2. Brakes + Tyres27%
  3. Brakes + Suspension21%
  4. Other + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 387 MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetle cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

97%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · More than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

All 9 Volkswagen Beetle recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • USA imported vehicle recall driver side airbag module replacement
  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 19.1% for the Volkswagen Beetle, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 19.1% for the Volkswagen Beetle, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 14.3%, against 19.1% for the Volkswagen Beetle, both built around 2018.

    10,851 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 19.1% for the Volkswagen Beetle, both built around 2018.

    11,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Beetle across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. It has the 12th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,625 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Beetle ever sold: 55,400 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,625 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.