2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

39,095 MOT tests in 2024. 58.4% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

94Below average
Passed first time58.4%
Failed or needed repairs41.6%
Typical mileage at test82,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 39,095 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak5.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.4%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.1%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  5. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.7%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    1,617 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  10. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.5%
  2. Suspension22.3%
  3. Brakes18.5%
  4. Body & chassis7.9%
  5. Tyres7.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.7%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak16.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.0%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases8.2%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. 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 2011 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 58.4% of 2011 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 39,095 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 94, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).