2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Volkswagen Beetle MOT pass rate and common faults

2,373 MOT tests in 2024. 49.0% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

86Well below average
Passed first time49.0%
Failed or needed repairs51.0%
Typical mileage at test91,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,373 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.7%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.4%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.2%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam5.2%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.2%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.8%
  8. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics42.8%
  2. Suspension24.9%
  3. Brakes19.6%
  4. Emissions & leaks16.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.0%
  6. Steering10.2%
  7. Tyres9.4%
  8. Body & chassis9.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle?

In 2024, 49.0% of 2008 Volkswagen Beetle cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,373 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 86, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).