Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Volkswagen Polo passed 66.6% of its first MOT tests, from 611,182 tests in Great Britain. That is 4.8 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Volkswagen Polo MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 13.6% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 13.6% vs 11.3%
- Suspension 10.4% vs 8.9%
- Brakes 8.5% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 6.5% vs 4.8%
- Tyres 6.4% vs 6.3%
- Body, chassis, structure 5.3% vs 3.4%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 4.8% vs 3.1%
- Steering 2.5% vs 1.8%
- Headlamp aim 4.9% vs 3.3%
- Washers 4.1% vs 2.5%
- Tyres: condition 3.7% vs 3.7%
- Headlamp 3.3% vs 2.2%
- Pins and bushes 2.8% vs 1.4%
- Position lamp 2.8% vs 2.8%
- Service brake performance 2.7% vs 1.5%
- Tread depth 2.7% vs 2.6%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: Not working | 2.6% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.5% |
| Pins and bushes: Pin or bush excessively worn | 2.5% |
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 2.2% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.2% |
| Headlamp aim: Projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 2.2% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.2% |
| Headlamp: Not working on dipped beam | 2.0% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 2.0% |
| Washers: Not working | 2.0% |
Volkswagen Polo pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 83.5% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 50.7% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 83.5% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 75.5% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 60.7% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 50.7% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 557,873 | 67.6% |
| Diesel | 53,286 | 56.2% |
Most common Volkswagen Polo advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 18.2%
- Tyres: condition 11.9%
- Brake discs 11.0%
- Pins and bushes 7.7%
- Vehicle 6.3%
- Shock absorbers 6.1%
- Brake pads 5.0%
- Exhaust system 4.8%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Golf (72.8%)
- Volkswagen Transporter (66.8%)
- Volkswagen Passat (70.2%)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (81.0%)
- Volkswagen Caddy (68.6%)
- Volkswagen UP (81.5%)
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Polo?
In 2023, 66.6% of Volkswagen Polo MOT tests were passed first time, from 611,182 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Polo?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 13.6% of tests to fail. Next came suspension (10.4%) and brakes (8.5%).
Is the Volkswagen Polo reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 66.6% is 4.8 points below the average and ranks 73 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Volkswagen Polo's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.