2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

25,022 MOT tests in 2024. 51.2% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time51.2%
Failed or needed repairs48.8%
Typical mileage at test90,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 25,022 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.9%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.0%
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
  5. Position lamp: not working4.2%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.0%
  7. Side repeaters: not working3.9%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.6%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    1,170 marked dangerous
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics32.8%
  2. Brakes24.3%
  3. Suspension23.2%
  4. Body & chassis15.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks12.9%
  6. Tyres9.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.5%
  8. Steering6.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.9%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.1%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.7%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.8%

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 2008 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 51.2% of 2008 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 25,022 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).