Used car guide

2014 Volkswagen Beetle: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Volkswagen Beetles, from 3,602 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,602MOT tests in 2025

66%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)

6,100typical miles a year

13×the usual rate for rear fog light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Volkswagen Beetles than on all cars registered in 2014.

Rear fog light13× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
7.8% All 2014 cars
0.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 0.5% of all 2014 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.
Suspension arm5.2× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
8.9% All 2014 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
14.3% All 2014 cars
8.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Coil springs1.7× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
11.6% All 2014 cars
6.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.4% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

34% 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

32% 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

18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

7% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Driveshafts and joints

4% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2018	893	Tyres 28%
2017	1,520	Tyres 29%
2016	2,288	Tyres 28%
2015	3,262	Tyres 31%
2013	4,448	Suspension 33%
2012	2,280	Suspension 35%
2011	663	Lights and electrics 41%
2010	2,034	Suspension 44%
2009	1,681	Suspension 51%
2008	2,126	Suspension 54%
2007	2,540	Suspension 52%
2006	2,509	Suspension 52%
2005	2,507	Suspension 46%
2004	2,794	Suspension 50%
2003	2,067	Suspension 53%
2002	971	Suspension 52%
2001	795	Suspension 49%
2000	538	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Volkswagen Beetles registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score