What are the most common problems with a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

Known faults on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle include starter motor overheating and emissions fix (diesel). The biggest MOT weak spot is suspension arm bushes and joints: flagged on 13% of tests, 5.7× the rate for all 2018 cars, followed by tyre condition (22.6%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the tyre condition? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 14.5× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2018 Volkswagen Beetle: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Beetle first registered in 2018: we looked at the 2,663 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,663MOTs of 2018 cars, done in 2023–2025

80%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)

5,400typical miles a year

5.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle than on all cars registered in 2018.

Suspension arm bushes and joints5.7× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
13% All 2018 cars
2.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.
Tyre condition1.7× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
22.6% All 2018 cars
13.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 3.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Rear fog light14.5× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
2.9% All 2018 cars
0.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.
Coil springs2× usual

Volkswagen Beetle
2.2% All 2018 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.9% of all 2018 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

Brake discs: 4.5% here, against 9.8% of all 2018 cars.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Fuel	Pass first time	Stands out	MOTs
Petrol	81%	Suspension arm bushes and joints 5.4×, Tyre condition 1.7×, Rear fog light 12×	2,111
Diesel	77%	Suspension arm bushes and joints 6.5×	552

Common 2018 Volkswagen Beetle MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

31% 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

16% 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

10% 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

7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

1% of testsRough price £80–£250

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Starter motor overheating and emissions fix (diesel)
Diesel
Diesels with stop-start built March to November 2011 were recalled for starter motors that could overheat, and diesels needed the NOx emissions update.

At the viewing: Ask whether the emissions work was done.

Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Beetle (2012-2018) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

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

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the tyre condition? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 14.5× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Beetle?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Beetle compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2017	4,481	Tyres 31%
2016	6,768	Tyres 31%
2015	9,700	Tyres 31%
2014	10,685	Tyres 32%
2013	13,181	Tyres 32%
2012	6,748	Suspension 33%
2011	1,982	Suspension 36%
2010	6,268	Suspension 37%
2009	5,298	Suspension 47%
2008	7,085	Suspension 51%
2007	8,519	Suspension 50%
2006	9,060	Suspension 49%
2005	9,260	Suspension 45%
2004	10,420	Suspension 48%
2003	7,777	Suspension 51%
2002	3,759	Suspension 52%
2001	3,150	Suspension 50%
2000	2,124	Suspension 50%
1999	151	Lights and electrics 40%
1979	–	Too few tests
1978	–	Too few tests
1977	–	Too few tests
1976	–	Too few tests
1975	–	Too few tests
1974	–	Too few tests
1973	–	Too few tests
1972	–	Too few tests
1971	–	Too few tests
1970	–	Too few tests
1969	–	Too few tests
1968	–	Too few tests
1967	–	Too few tests
1966	–	Too few tests
1965	–	Too few tests
1964	–	Too few tests
1963	–	Too few tests
1962	–	Too few tests
1961	–	Too few tests
1960	–	Too few tests
1959	–	Too few tests
1958	–	Too few tests
1956	–	Too few tests
1955	–	Too few tests
1954	–	Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Beetle cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score