2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

19,223 MOT tests in 2024. 48.4% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

86Well below average
Passed first time48.4%
Failed or needed repairs51.6%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 19,223 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt10.2%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.2%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.1%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.9%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.8%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.6%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.5%
  9. Side repeaters: not working3.4%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    977 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics45.6%
  2. Brakes23.8%
  3. Suspension21.4%
  4. Body & chassis20.4%
  5. Emissions & leaks17.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.3%
  7. Tyres9.7%
  8. Steering4.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.2%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.1%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 48.4% of 2006 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 19,223 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 86, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).