2011 Volkswagen Beetle: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Headlights3× usual
  Volkswagen Beetle

  14.5% All 2011 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings6.3× usual
  Volkswagen Beetle

  6.9% All 2011 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Wipers2× usual
  Volkswagen Beetle

  6.5% All 2011 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Body structure rust or damage5.5× usual
  Volkswagen Beetle

  3.3% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

• Engine warning light2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Beetle

  4.5% All 2011 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Beetle MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  36% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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
  27% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  15% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?