Comparison · small hatchbacks

Vauxhall Corsa vs Volkswagen Polo: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Polo does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 92 for the Vauxhall Corsa, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,461,149 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Corsa

92Well below average

MOT tests847,664

Volkswagen Polo

95Below average

MOT tests613,485

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Vauxhall Corsa	Volkswagen Polo
3–5 years	96Below average	100About average
6–9 years	92Below average	97Below average
10–14 years	90Well below average	96Below average
15+ years	91Well below average	88Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Vauxhall Corsa	Volkswagen Polo
2021	85.3%	88.7%
2020	81.8%	87.9%
2019	81.1%	83.1%
2018	78.2%	75.9%
2017	73.8%	77.4%
2016	70.3%	75.5%
2015	66.4%	72.7%
2014	58.1%	67.5%
2013	59.8%	63.6%
2012	59.4%	62.0%
2011	58.4%	58.4%
2010	55.7%	57.1%
2009	54.4%	54.3%
2008	53.3%	51.2%
2007	52.6%	51.4%
2006	49.5%	48.4%
2005	48.9%	48.2%
2004	49.9%	47.3%
2003	49.6%	47.5%
2002	50.6%	48.7%
2001	50.0%	54.0%
2000	57.3%	55.4%
1999	60.4%	62.2%
1998	60.5%	56.3%
1997	59.6%	59.7%
1996	61.6%	58.8%
1995	61.5%	62.5%
1994	68.3%	66.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Vauxhall Corsa	Volkswagen Polo
Lights & electrics	20.7	18.2
Suspension	14.9	13.3
Brakes	10.2	13.9
Tyres	7.4	7.0
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	7.2	6.1
Emissions & leaks	6.3	6.7
Body & chassis	4.8	6.1
Steering	4.9	3.3

Vauxhall Corsa: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
Stop lamp: not working3.2%
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

Volkswagen Polo: top failures

Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
Position lamp: not working1.6%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Corsa or the Volkswagen Polo?

The Volkswagen Polo does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 92 for the Vauxhall Corsa, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo can be compared?

Both were tested for 28 registration years (1994–2021). The Vauxhall Corsa had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Volkswagen Polo in 14.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Corsa: coil spring: fractured or broken; stop lamp: not working. Volkswagen Polo: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.