Volkswagen Polo: what fails at MOT
847,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Polo in 2024, counted. 30.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.7% of Volkswagen Polo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.1%, so the Polo does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.4% of tests), suspension (6.9% of tests) and brakes (5.7% of tests). It fails on body and structure, exhaust and emissions and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45,359 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 20,500 13,900 to 28,500 |
| 2020 | 41,349 | 11.2% | 11.5% | 25,600 17,800 to 34,800 |
| 2019 | 55,262 | 15.7% | 13.4% | 33,100 23,500 to 43,800 |
| 2018 | 63,657 | 22.6% | 15.6% | 39,900 28,900 to 52,200 |
| 2017 | 59,693 | 21.7% | 18.2% | 45,800 32,900 to 59,900 |
| 2016 | 69,165 | 23.1% | 21.3% | 53,500 38,900 to 69,600 |
| 2015 | 69,374 | 25.7% | 24.4% | 60,400 44,000 to 77,400 |
| 2014 | 60,482 | 31.0% | 27.7% | 66,200 48,800 to 85,200 |
| 2013 | 56,771 | 33.7% | 30.6% | 70,900 51,900 to 90,800 |
| 2012 | 54,147 | 35.6% | 33.4% | 77,100 56,400 to 98,200 |
| 2011 | 57,469 | 39.4% | 36.1% | 83,400 61,900 to 104,700 |
| 2010 | 53,176 | 41.0% | 38.6% | 87,900 64,600 to 110,400 |
| 2009 | 31,371 | 45.1% | 39.8% | 85,800 62,800 to 109,500 |
| 2008 | 34,327 | 48.3% | 41.5% | 91,100 68,100 to 116,000 |
| 2007 | 30,526 | 48.3% | 41.5% | 94,000 70,500 to 118,400 |
| 2006 | 25,883 | 51.6% | 42.4% | 97,400 74,100 to 121,700 |
| 2005 | 20,346 | 52.2% | 42.2% | 97,100 73,700 to 121,500 |
| 2004 | 18,397 | 52.8% | 42.3% | 96,500 71,300 to 123,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Polo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Polo | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.4% | 7.5% |
| Suspension | 6.9% | 6.1% |
| Brakes | 5.7% | 4.5% |
| Tyres | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Body and structure More than most | 3.3% | 2.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.9% | 2.1% |
| Steering More than most | 2.1% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim3.0%
- Tyre2.7%
- Washers2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.1%
- Headlamp2.1%
- Track rod end1.8%
- Footbrake1.8%
- Brake test1.7%
- Tyre tread1.7%
- Side light1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Side light: not working1.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.4%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.3%
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.2%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.3%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases2.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Volkswagen Polo's own MOT record
Looking at a Polo? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.