Volkswagen Golf diesel vs Volkswagen Polo: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Volkswagen Golf diesel
71%
MOT pass rate · 3,914 vehicles
Volkswagen Polo
73%
MOT pass rate · 1,167,422 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf diesel (71%) and Volkswagen Polo (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Volkswagen Golf diesel | Volkswagen Polo |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 71% | 73% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 29% | 27% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 0.0 ✓ | 2.0 |
| Dangerous-fault share | — ✓ | 2% |
| Average mileage | 242,290 mi | 88,804 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 3,914 | 1,167,422 |
Most common faults
Volkswagen Golf diesel
No fault breakdown available.
Volkswagen Polo
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf diesel (71%) and Volkswagen Polo (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Volkswagen Golf diesel report Full Volkswagen Polo report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.