Is the Volkswagen Polo ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 624,656 MOT tests, around 83% of Volkswagen Polos still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 8% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 9%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 91% petrol, 9% diesel. Petrol Polos are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Polos are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 83%
- Likely charged
- 8%
- Depends on the car
- 9%
- MOT tests analysed
- 624,656
Check a specific Polo
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Polo ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Polos of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant1,227 tested | – |
| 2020 | Likely compliant26,462 tested | Likely compliant57 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant35,972 tested | Likely compliant722 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant43,466 tested | Likely compliant319 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant44,932 tested | Likely compliant1,162 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant49,734 tested | Likely compliant2,123 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant47,686 tested | Check exact car3,885 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant39,922 tested | Check exact car4,353 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant35,068 tested | Likely charged3,737 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant33,190 tested | Likely charged4,529 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant35,160 tested | Likely charged5,431 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant34,135 tested | Likely charged4,696 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant21,266 tested | Likely charged3,320 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant22,132 tested | Likely charged5,088 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant22,465 tested | Likely charged3,044 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant20,356 tested | Likely charged2,218 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard15,569 tested | Likely charged2,473 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard12,900 tested | Likely charged2,756 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard11,148 tested | Likely charged1,745 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard6,657 tested | Likely charged963 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard4,383 tested | Likely charged377 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged2,923 tested | Likely charged199 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged1,144 tested | Likely charged45 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged604 tested | Likely charged31 tested |
| 1997 | Likely charged491 tested | Likely charged10 tested |
| 1996 | Likely charged402 tested | Likely charged6 tested |
| 1995 | Likely charged188 tested | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged180 tested | – |
| 1993 | Likely charged277 tested | – |
| 1992 | Likely charged238 tested | – |
| 1991 | Likely charged284 tested | – |
| 1990 | Likely charged194 tested | – |
| 1989 | Likely charged144 tested | – |
| 1988 | Likely charged118 tested | – |
| 1987 | Likely charged67 tested | – |
| 1986 | Likely charged61 tested | – |
| 1985 | Likely charged62 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Polo
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (91% of Polos tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (9% of Polos tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Polos from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (9% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Volkswagen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Polos fare at the MOT too: see the Volkswagen Polo MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volkswagen Polo for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volkswagen Polos in this data were first registered between 1985 and 2021. 2016 was the most common year, with 51,857 tests (8% of the total), and half were registered in 2013 or later.
Polos from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 70% of the time, at an average of 58,912 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 56% of the time with 84,238 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Polos likely to comply are from 2006. 20,356 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 49% of the time and averaged 95,207 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Polos likely to comply are from 2016. 2,123 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 78% of the time and averaged 47,344 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Polo's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.3% of tests); suspension: "pin or bush excessively worn" (2.6%) and "ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (2.6%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.8% of tests.
Overall, 67% of Polos passed first time, noticeably below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 63,778 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volkswagen models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 624,656 MOT tests say about the Volkswagen Polo and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volkswagen Polo ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 83% of Polos on the road are likely compliant and 8% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Polo years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Polos first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Polo ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Polos from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Polo is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- 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
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your Polo ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.