1971 Volkswagen Kombi MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Kombi models manufactured in 1971, based on 111 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1971 Volkswagen Kombi MOT Analysis
The 1971 Volkswagen Kombi has an MOT pass rate of 64.0% based on 111 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 58,099 miles on the odometer. With a 36.0% failure rate, the 1971 Kombi is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Volkswagen Kombi is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 5.4% of failures. 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 range from £5–50. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 1.8%. Tyres follows at 1.8%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall Kombi 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 5.4% | 6 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.8% | 2 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.8% | 2 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 58,099 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.93 | 5.4% | 6 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.31 | 1.8% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.31 | 1.8% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.16 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Volkswagen Kombi has an MOT pass rate of 64.0% based on 111 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 58,099 miles on the odometer. With a 36.0% failure rate, the 1971 Kombi is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Volkswagen Kombi, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 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. At 58,099 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 5.4% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 5.4% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen Kombi 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.
Identification of the vehicle — 1.8% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen Kombi models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Tyres — 1.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1971 Volkswagen Kombi models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.