2002 Volkswagen Beetle — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle passed 66.8% of its 11,169 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests against 15.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,437 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 0-30k band and 37.3% in the 150k+ band, a 15.6-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 33.2% of the time against 33.3% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 2,459 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 1,690 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 1,205 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 1,186 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 828 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 731 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,437 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 1,203 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,163 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 916 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 787 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 666 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.3% | 4,390 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.2% | 4,041 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 3,020 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 2,432 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 1,931 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.4% | 1,829 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 134 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 836 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,501 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,776 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,455 | 37.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,441 | 37.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,589 | 33.2% |
| Diesel | 1,575 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,423 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 2,741 | 33.7% |
| 2023 | 2,126 | 33.6% |
| 2024 | 1,618 | 33.1% |
| 2025 | 1,261 | 31.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Beetle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Volkswagen Beetles pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 11,169 2002 Volkswagen Beetle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.0% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2002 Beetle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 37.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,169 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.