Skip to content

Volkswagen Polo vs Volkswagen Variant: 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 Variant
72%
MOT pass rate · 1,499 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Polo (73%) and Volkswagen Variant (72%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volkswagen Polo Volkswagen Variant
MOT pass rate 73% ✓ 72%
MOT failure rate 27% ✓ 28%
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 ✓ 2.2
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 88,804 mi 57,927 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,167,422 1,499

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 Variant

  1. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
  2. Horn not working (1.6.2a)
  3. Oil leak
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
  6. Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Polo (73%) and Volkswagen Variant (72%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Polo report Full Volkswagen Variant 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.