2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

36,949 MOT tests in 2024. 62.0% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time62.0%
Failed or needed repairs38.0%
Typical mileage at test76,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 36,949 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.3%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.5%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    1,304 marked dangerous
  7. Position lamp: not working2.3%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.0%
  10. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.3%
  2. Brakes17.1%
  3. Suspension16.8%
  4. Tyres7.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  7. Body & chassis5.5%
  8. Steering1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.3%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.1%

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 2012 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 62.0% of 2012 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 36,949 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 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; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).