How much does a 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,625 (£135/month), including £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

The 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 75,715 tests in 2026. This ranks 376 out of 575 cars from 2010.

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 (2010)

Q: Is the 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of VOLKSWAGEN POLOs from 2010 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 75,715 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

The average mileage for a 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO is 90,330 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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 75,715 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,625

£135/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1625/year to run. 8 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN POLO

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1598cc16 years old75,715 tests90k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£165

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,625

Per month£135/mo

Per week£31/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLKSWAGEN POLO

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 16 years old, 74% of VOLKSWAGEN POLOs from 2010 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 75,715 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 90,330 miles.

Got a VOLKSWAGEN POLO you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2010 cars376th of 575(top 65%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models894th of 1,118(top 80%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 2010 cars average-1%(75% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-11%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

90,330

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO has 90,330 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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 2010 sits between the two at 74%.

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

2012 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,490/year

75%

+1%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2012 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,577/year

80%

+6%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£1,727/year

74%

same

VAUXHALL CORSA

2009 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,490/year

73%

-1%

Check a Specific Volkswagen Polo

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO

The 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO is a small family car with a 1598cc diesel engine. 75,715 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2010, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 90,330 miles at 16 years old, VOLKSWAGEN POLO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO Fuel Costs

The 1598cc 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 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,625 (£135/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO

At 16 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 75,715 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2010 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 90k 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.

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 2010 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(2010)	74%	£905	£165	Grp 12-25	£1625
FORD FIESTA(2012)	75%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490-£135
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2012)	80%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577-£48
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)	74%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£102
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)	73%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490-£135

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.