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Volkswagen Mars vs Volkswagen Polo: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Volkswagen Mars
87%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Volkswagen Polo
73%
MOT pass rate · 1,167,422 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Mars (87%) 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 Mars Volkswagen Polo
MOT pass rate 87% ✓ 73%
MOT failure rate 13% ✓ 27%
Faults & advisories per test 0.9 ✓ 2.0
Dangerous-fault share 15% 2% ✓
Average mileage 65,491 mi 88,804 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 1,167,422

Most common faults

Volkswagen Mars

  1. headstock notchy
  2. slight leak fork seals
  3. Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))
  4. Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)
  5. Offside Rear Direction indicator has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.4.A.2c)
  6. Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect both (5.3.2 (b))

Volkswagen Polo

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Mars (87%) and Volkswagen Polo (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Mars 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.