2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

23,086 MOT tests in 2024. 54.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time54.3%
Failed or needed repairs45.7%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 23,086 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.4%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  6. Side repeaters: not working3.2%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.2%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.0%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    952 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics29.1%
  2. Suspension25.9%
  3. Brakes23.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks10.8%
  5. Body & chassis9.8%
  6. Tyres8.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  8. Steering5.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.4%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases10.0%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.3%

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: linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover 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 2009 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 54.3% of 2009 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 23,086 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).