2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

29,772 MOT tests in 2024. 88.7% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time88.7%
Failed or needed repairs11.3%
Typical mileage at test20,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 29,772 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  3. Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
    327 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
    220 marked dangerous
  6. Washers: not working0.5%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
    164 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.3%
  2. Tyres3.7%
  3. Lights & electrics2.5%
  4. Brakes1.2%
  5. Seat belts & airbags0.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.2%
  7. Suspension0.2%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.7%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.6%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.3%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm1.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 PoloAll Polo years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 88.7% of 2021 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 29,772 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; headlamp aim: too low. The biggest problem area was visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors).

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).