How much does a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), including £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

The 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 12,081 tests in 2026. This ranks 313 out of 403 cars from 2002.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN POLO is most reliable?

The 2022 VOLKSWAGEN POLO has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 67%.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO (2002)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

The average mileage for a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO is 96,635 miles, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 12,081 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1400cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Diesel1400cc24 years old12,081 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1400cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 1400cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£1,825

Per month£152/mo

Per week£35/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 24 years old, 68% of VOLKSWAGEN POLOs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 12,081 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 96,635 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars313th of 403(top 78%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models1046th of 1,118(top 94%)

vs national average-14%(82% avg)

vs 2002 cars average-5%(73% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-17%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,635

Average miles

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO has 96,635 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2002 sits between the two at 68%.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2004 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,490/year

71%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2003 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

73%

+5%

HONDA CIVIC

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

+4%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2004 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

71%

+3%

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About the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO

The 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO is a small family car with a 1400cc diesel engine. 12,081 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 96,635 miles at 24 years old, VOLKSWAGEN POLO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO Fuel Costs

The 1400cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 (£152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN POLOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO

At 24 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN POLO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 12,081 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 97k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN POLO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2002)	68%	£905	£165	Grp 8-20	£1825
FORD FIESTA(2004)	71%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)	73%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98
HONDA CIVIC(2004)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£98
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2004)	71%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£230

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.