1979 Volkswagen Beetle MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Beetle models manufactured in 1979, based on 1,014 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Beetle cars tested in 1979. Want to see how cars built in 1979 hold up over time?
View 1979 Volkswagen Beetle vintage page → (77.4% current pass rate)1979 Volkswagen Beetle MOT Analysis
The 1979 Volkswagen Beetle has an MOT pass rate of 64.9% based on 1,014 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 46,846 miles on the odometer. With a 35.1% failure rate, the 1979 Beetle is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Volkswagen Beetle is Visibility, responsible for 0.1% of failures. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs range from £10–300.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Beetle page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 46,846 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.02 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Volkswagen Beetle has an MOT pass rate of 64.9% based on 1,014 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 46,846 miles on the odometer. With a 35.1% failure rate, the 1979 Beetle is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to visibility: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable. With relatively low average mileage of 46,846 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Visibility — 0.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1979 Volkswagen Beetle models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.