1979 Volkswagen Microbus MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Microbus models manufactured in 1979, based on 130 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1979 Volkswagen Microbus MOT Analysis
The 1979 Volkswagen Microbus has an MOT pass rate of 58.5% based on 130 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 75,858 miles on the odometer. With a 41.5% failure rate, the 1979 Microbus is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Volkswagen Microbus is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 4.6% 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. Visibility is the second most common issue at 1.5%. Tyres follows at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Microbus 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 4.6% | 6 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Tyres | 0.8% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 1 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 75,858 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 | 0.61 | 4.6% | 6 |
| Visibility | 0.20 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.10 | 0.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Volkswagen Microbus has an MOT pass rate of 58.5% based on 130 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 75,858 miles on the odometer. With a 41.5% failure rate, the 1979 Microbus is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Volkswagen Microbus, 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 75,858 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 4.6% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 4.6% of MOT failures on 1979 Volkswagen Microbus 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.
Visibility — 1.5% of failures
Visibility issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1979 Volkswagen Microbus 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.
Tyres — 0.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1979 Volkswagen Microbus 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.