1971 Volkswagen 1200 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 1200 models manufactured in 1971, based on 436 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 1200 cars tested in 1971. Want to see how cars built in 1971 hold up over time?
View 1971 Volkswagen 1200 vintage page → (53.2% current pass rate)1971 Volkswagen 1200 MOT Analysis
The 1971 Volkswagen 1200 has an MOT pass rate of 52.8% based on 436 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,259 miles on the odometer. With a 47.2% failure rate, the 1971 1200 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Volkswagen 1200 is Body, Structure and General Items, responsible for 0.7% of failures. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs range from £100–500+. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.5%. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment follows at 0.2%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall 1200 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
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| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, Structure And General Items | 0.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.2% | 1 |
| 4 | Registration Plates And Vin | 0.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,259 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 0.13 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Steering | 0.09 | 0.5% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.04 | 0.2% | 1 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.04 | 0.2% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Volkswagen 1200 has an MOT pass rate of 52.8% based on 436 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,259 miles on the odometer. With a 47.2% failure rate, the 1971 1200 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Volkswagen 1200, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to body, structure and general items: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely. At 51,259 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Body, Structure and General Items — 0.7% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen 1200 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Steering — 0.5% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen 1200 models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 0.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen 1200 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.