Volkswagen Polo
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 34 years from 1,132,275 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
76%
Total Tests
1,132,275
Best Year
2022 (95%)
Years Covered
34
About the Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo has been tested 1,132,275 times in 2026 MOT data across 34 model years (1990 to 2023), with an average pass rate of 76%. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as petrol and diesel.
Best and Worst Years
The 2022 model is the most reliable with a 95% pass rate from 413 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 67%. With a 28 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
Newer VOLKSWAGEN POLOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 83,845 miles, while the newest (2023) averages 33,452 miles.
Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Polo is 9 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volkswagen models.
Estimated Running Costs
Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.
Full 2023 detailsHow reliable is the Volkswagen Polo?
Volkswagen Polo by Year
Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 84% | 106 | 33,452 mi | |
| 2022 | 95% | 413 | 20,300 mi | |
| 2021 | 93% | 12,920 | 22,309 mi | |
| 2020 | 92% | 27,020 | 28,541 mi | |
| 2019 | 89% | 65,751 | 35,212 mi | |
| 2018 | 84% | 79,867 | 42,136 mi | |
| 2017 | 84% | 80,360 | 48,515 mi | |
| 2016 | 84% | 92,860 | 55,959 mi | |
| 2015 | 82% | 94,129 | 62,780 mi | |
| 2014 | 80% | 81,831 | 69,477 mi | |
| 2013 | 79% | 75,894 | 74,217 mi | |
| 2012 | 78% | 73,366 | 80,312 mi | |
| 2011 | 75% | 79,721 | 85,976 mi | |
| 2010 | 74% | 75,715 | 90,330 mi | |
| 2009 | 71% | 44,908 | 89,112 mi | |
| 2008 | 70% | 49,575 | 94,775 mi | |
| 2007 | 70% | 45,463 | 97,013 mi | |
| 2006 | 68% | 39,766 | 99,533 mi | |
| 2005 | 68% | 30,507 | 99,509 mi | |
| 2004 | 67% | 26,290 | 100,124 mi | |
| 2003 | 67% | 21,166 | 98,247 mi | |
| 2002 | 68% | 12,081 | 96,635 mi | |
| 2001 | 71% | 7,359 | 88,668 mi | |
| 2000 | 71% | 4,800 | 92,133 mi | |
| 1999 | 75% | 2,808 | 74,358 mi | |
| 1998 | 71% | 1,681 | 68,113 mi | |
| 1997 | 72% | 1,201 | 73,181 mi | |
| 1996 | 70% | 1,139 | 77,130 mi | |
| 1995 | 73% | 361 | 83,075 mi | |
| 1994 | 71% | 511 | 80,048 mi | |
| 1993 | 69% | 819 | 92,842 mi | |
| 1992 | 76% | 616 | 91,991 mi | |
| 1991 | 74% | 789 | 91,515 mi | |
| 1990 | 75% | 482 | 83,845 mi |
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