Volkswagen Polo MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 624,656 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Polo carried out in 2023. 33% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Polos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1985 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2021 models did best (94% passed, +2.8 points against the average for 2-year-old cars), while 1990 models fared worst (56%, −14.8 points). Tested cars had covered 63,778 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 13.4% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 624,656
- First-time pass rate
- 67%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −4.3 points
- Average mileage at test
- 63,778
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Polo?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Polo MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,227 | 94% | 91% | +2.8 points | 19,162 |
| 2020 | 26,519 | 90% | 88% | +2.6 points | 20,227 |
| 2019 | 36,694 | 86% | 86% | −0.7 points | 26,969 |
| 2018 | 43,785 | 80% | 84% | −4.3 points | 33,794 |
| 2017 | 46,094 | 80% | 82% | −1.7 points | 40,061 |
| 2016 | 51,857 | 78% | 79% | −1.0 points | 47,344 |
| 2015 | 51,571 | 75% | 75% | −0.6 points | 54,305 |
| 2014 | 44,275 | 69% | 72% | −2.8 points | 61,315 |
| 2013 | 38,809 | 65% | 68% | −3.4 points | 67,094 |
| 2012 | 37,723 | 63% | 66% | −2.1 points | 72,782 |
| 2011 | 40,592 | 60% | 63% | −3.3 points | 78,854 |
| 2010 | 38,833 | 59% | 60% | −1.9 points | 82,837 |
| 2009 | 24,587 | 55% | 59% | −4.1 points | 82,960 |
| 2008 | 27,221 | 53% | 57% | −4.3 points | 89,309 |
| 2007 | 25,512 | 53% | 57% | −4.4 points | 92,331 |
| 2006 | 22,574 | 49% | 56% | −6.8 points | 95,207 |
| 2005 | 18,042 | 48% | 56% | −8.3 points | 96,080 |
| 2004 | 15,658 | 48% | 56% | −8.4 points | 96,887 |
| 2003 | 12,895 | 47% | 57% | −9.6 points | 95,629 |
| 2002 | 7,621 | 48% | 58% | −9.4 points | 94,590 |
| 2001 | 4,761 | 54% | 59% | −4.4 points | 86,847 |
| 2000 | 3,123 | 56% | 61% | −4.7 points | 88,982 |
| 1999 | 1,189 | 61% | 62% | −1.9 points | 74,670 |
| 1998 | 635 | 58% | 64% | −5.8 points | 69,790 |
| 1997 | 501 | 56% | 64% | −8.8 points | 74,809 |
| 1996 | 408 | 61% | 65% | −4.4 points | 75,477 |
| 1995 | 188 | 60% | 66% | −6.4 points | 84,229 |
| 1994 | 180 | 67% | 66% | +0.3 points | 72,824 |
| 1993 | 277 | 61% | 67% | −5.8 points | 91,607 |
| 1992 | 238 | 68% | 68% | +0.1 points | 90,957 |
| 1991 | 284 | 68% | 70% | −1.9 points | 92,437 |
| 1990 | 194 | 56% | 71% | −14.8 points | 84,761 |
| 1989 | 144 | 66% | 72% | −5.8 points | 84,171 |
| 1988 | 118 | 58% | 71% | −12.5 points | 77,114 |
| 1987 | 67 | 60% | 72% | −12.0 points | 73,757 |
| 1986 | 61 | 61% | 71% | −10.7 points | 74,482 |
| 1985 | 62 | 60% | 72% | −12.5 points | 59,398 |
Why the Volkswagen Polo fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Polo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 13.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 10.2% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.4% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 5.2% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.7% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 2.4% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.3%
- 2pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
- 3ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
- 6fractured or broken2.2%
- 7projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
- 8constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- 9efficiency below requirements2.1%
- 10not working on dipped beam2.0%
Common Polo MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Polo, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 10.6% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 7.6% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 5.3% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.0% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 4.2% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 3.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.8% |
Tips to help your Polo pass
Based on where Polos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 13.4% of Polo tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 8.4% of Polo tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 6.5% of Polo tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Polo ULEZ compliant? See the Volkswagen Polo ULEZ check, or view all Volkswagen models.
Other Volkswagen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 624,656 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Polo carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 624,656 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Polo.
What is the Volkswagen Polo MOT failure rate?
In our data, 33% of 624,656 first MOT attempts on the Volkswagen Polo ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volkswagen Polo fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (13.4% of tests), suspension (10.2% of tests), brakes (8.4% of tests).
Which Polo year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2021 cars performed best: 94% passed first time, +2.8 points against the average for 2-year-old cars. The weakest was 1990, at 56% (−14.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Volkswagen Polo covered at its MOT?
The average was 63,778 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 19,162 miles and 1985 cars 59,398.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen Polo?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.3% of Polos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Polo's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 624,656 Polos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 47% to 94% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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