Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Beetle: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen Beetles, from 2,280 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,280MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,100typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volkswagen Beetles than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    13.2% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rear fog light9.5× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    7.6% All 2012 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 0.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    4.8% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.6% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Number plate lights: 2.5% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    21% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Beetle?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018893Tyres 28%
20171,520Tyres 29%
20162,288Tyres 28%
20153,262Tyres 31%
20143,602Suspension 34%
20134,448Suspension 33%
2011663Lights and electrics 41%
20102,034Suspension 44%
20091,681Suspension 51%
20082,126Suspension 54%
20072,540Suspension 52%
20062,509Suspension 52%
20052,507Suspension 46%
20042,794Suspension 50%
20032,067Suspension 53%
2002971Suspension 52%
2001795Suspension 49%
2000538Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volkswagen Beetles registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score