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MOT reliability

Volkswagen Polo

1,167,422 vehicles · 14,644,779 completed MOT tests analysed
73%
MOT pass rate

Based on 1,167,422 Volkswagen Polo vehicles and 14,644,779 completed MOT tests, the Volkswagen Polo has an overall 73% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 88,804 miles.

1,167,422
Vehicles
14,644,779
MOT tests
6,297
Avg miles / year
2
Faults per test
2%
Dangerous-fault share

Volkswagen Polo problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volkswagen Polo MOT tests:

  • Other62%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension21%
  • Brakes10%
  • Lamps & electrical6%
  • Steering4%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Body & structure3%
  • Seatbelts & equipment2%

Volkswagen Polo pass rate by age

How the Volkswagen Polo's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
154184%
226,76387%
3888,70786%
4925,54284%
51,002,72381%
61,070,92678%
71,115,45376%
81,136,40674%
91,153,42672%
101,135,79271%
111,078,99969%
12989,33568%
13889,79067%
14770,97466%
15640,83165%
16507,25665%
17387,65065%
18289,08564%
19206,24664%
20143,30064%

Fuel types: Petrol (1,058,614), Diesel (108,493), Other (241), LPG (46), Electric (11), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (8), Gas Bi-Fuel (4), Steam (3)

Most common Volkswagen Polo MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volkswagen Polo MOT tests:

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (440,661 times)
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (438,138 times)
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (360,463 times)
  4. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (344,914 times)
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (264,132 times)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (242,515 times)
  7. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (224,403 times)
  8. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (219,753 times)
  9. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (213,770 times)
  10. Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) (194,626 times)
  11. Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) (182,386 times)
  12. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (178,446 times)
  13. Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) (175,817 times)
  14. Oil leak (172,335 times)
  15. Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (171,920 times)

Volkswagen Polo pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2026 4 5 100% 51,997
2025 18 30 83% 45,491
2024 31 42 98% 20,107
2023 2,260 2,568 92% 21,383
2022 6,560 10,353 92% 24,533
2021 6,262 17,271 89% 31,650
2020 13,757 56,024 88% 37,976
2019 36,884 196,332 85% 44,321
2018 44,367 284,782 84% 50,566
2017 46,963 366,668 85% 54,858
2016 53,385 462,069 84% 62,375
2015 53,875 533,455 82% 68,826
2014 47,591 536,047 79% 74,828
2013 42,354 534,770 77% 80,330
2012 42,020 576,496 76% 85,512
2011 45,882 693,737 75% 91,046
2010 44,701 734,413 74% 95,549
2009 29,118 510,759 74% 94,623
2008 34,699 643,460 73% 101,317
2007 35,659 683,410 73% 104,387
2006 37,123 730,226 72% 106,610
2005 39,401 790,879 69% 108,524
2004 42,124 855,793 69% 110,687
2003 47,403 953,577 69% 109,234
2002 40,887 782,143 68% 109,915
2001 43,068 716,176 69% 104,611
2000 43,376 655,256 69% 107,379
1999 41,935 486,870 70% 98,160
1998 45,576 453,341 68% 96,544
1997 51,699 469,564 67% 100,456
1996 42,023 358,734 65% 103,957
1995 21,427 173,725 65% 105,756
1994 9,949 62,107 65% 90,125
1993 10,329 63,977 65% 96,243
1992 10,611 59,410 66% 95,622
1991 10,599 57,803 66% 98,335
1990 6,982 35,822 64% 95,260
1989 6,358 31,848 64% 94,183
1988 4,267 20,319 64% 94,066
1987 2,551 11,808 63% 91,018
1986 2,143 10,054 64% 89,781
1985 1,670 8,479 65% 87,316
1984 1,239 6,162 65% 84,159
1983 639 3,141 65% 80,660
1982 445 2,351 67% 92,484
1981 125 709 69% 70,215
1980 55 335 67% 69,522
1979 52 305 69% 61,280
1978 24 150 69% 63,256
1977 33 233 67% 63,332
1976 7 59 83% 65,084
1975 2 8 62% 52,678
1974 1 2 100% 77,074
1973 1 5 60% 188,764
1971 81 517 68% 102,544
1969 1 7 71% 105,706
1966 1 7 57% 109,113

Volkswagen Polo reliability FAQ

Across 1,167,422 Volkswagen Polo vehicles in our MOT data, 73% pass the MOT (a 27% failure rate), with about 2 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volkswagen Polo MOT issues are: 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)).

The typical Volkswagen Polo in our data has covered around 88,804 miles.

Compare the Volkswagen Polo

See how the Volkswagen Polo stacks up against other Volkswagen models on MOT reliability:

Polo vs Golf Polo vs Passat Polo vs Transporter Polo vs Tiguan

Check a specific Volkswagen Polo

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volkswagen models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks