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Volkswagen Polo vs Volkswagen T3 beetle: reliability comparison

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

Volkswagen Polo
73%
MOT pass rate · 1,167,422 vehicles
Volkswagen T3 beetle
100%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Polo (73%) and Volkswagen T3 beetle (100%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volkswagen Polo Volkswagen T3 beetle
MOT pass rate 73% 100% ✓
MOT failure rate 27% 0% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 0.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 88,804 mi 31,745 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,167,422 1

Most common faults

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))

Volkswagen T3 beetle

  1. offside front tyre sidewall perished/cracked
  2. Offside Front Lower Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
  3. Offside Front Upper Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
  4. Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  6. Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Polo (73%) and Volkswagen T3 beetle (100%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Polo report Full Volkswagen T3 beetle 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.