Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
From 234 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen and brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 24 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 24 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 18 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 15 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 14 |
| audible warning inoperative | 11 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 10 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 9 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 8 |
| a passenger seat with a defective structure or the backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. | 6 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 6 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 28.1% of Karmann Ghia failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £79.
Typical mileage
Half of all Karmann Ghias tested had between 28,948 and 79,398 miles on the clock.
At 53,252 median miles, the Karmann Ghia has 0.048 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volkswagen models
| Volkswagen Golf | 79.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 84.6% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia has a 74.4% MOT pass rate based on 234 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 24 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is 53,252 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 28,948 and 79,398 miles.
Buying a used Karmann Ghia?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £79 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.