Used car guide

2017 Volkswagen Beetle: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Volkswagen Beetles, from 1,520 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,520MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
5,500typical miles a year
24.7×the usual rate for rear fog light

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Volkswagen Beetles than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Rear fog light24.7× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    7.4% All 2017 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 0.3% of all 2017 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 arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    11.8% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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 springs2× usual
    Volkswagen Beetle
    5.8% All 2017 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2% of all 2017 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.

By area

The share of 2017 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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.

  • Brakes
    17% 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
    13% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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%
20162,288Tyres 28%
20153,262Tyres 31%
20143,602Suspension 34%
20134,448Suspension 33%
20122,280Suspension 35%
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 2017 Volkswagen Beetles registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score