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Volkswagen Beetle A5 (2012-2019) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Beetle A5 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Beetle A5 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Beetle A5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetle A5 models 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 Beetle A5 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Volkswagen Beetle A5
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2012-2019HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 24,140 tests of Beetle models registered 2012-2019.

About 1 in 30 Beetle A5 MOTs (3.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,625 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Beetle A5 MOTs (3.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 1,625 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

A5 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
1,25125.5%

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 11 years old.

How the Beetle A5 compares

At each age below, see how the Beetle A5 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 266,306 tests across 19 Volkswagen models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
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
1,25125.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Beetle A5.

  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 A5, 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 A5, 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 A5, 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 A5, 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.

How many are still registered

97%of all Volkswagen Beetle cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

7 recalls in all

6 of the 7 Beetle A5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • USA imported vehicle recall driver side airbag module replacement
  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Fuel may leak resulting in possible fire

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

What has gone wrong on Beetle A5 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 55 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
22%

Wear items

Tyres
11%
Lighting
9%
Brakes
7%
How Beetle A5 cars have aged

How Beetle A5 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%35791113Age at MOTBuilt around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (798 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (779 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (815 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (828 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (800 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (1,150 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (1,140 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (1,134 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (1,132 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (1,103 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (1,800 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (1,819 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (1,843 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (1,777 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (1,789 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (2,706 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (2,633 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (2,630 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (2,616 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (2,622 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (2,946 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (2,885 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (2,926 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (2,842 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (2,861 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (3,533 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (3,435 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (3,408 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (3,439 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (3,372 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (1,443 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (1,384 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (1,327 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,293 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (1,251 tests, 2025 data)2012
First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015
A5 variants compared

Beetle A5 variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Beetle A5 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • BEETLE19.2%1,224 tests

Diesel

  • BEETLE18.7%401 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Beetles of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Beetle built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the A5 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Beetle A5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Beetle A5 (2012-2019) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,625 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 24,140 MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetles first registered between 2012-2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.