Volkswagen Polo (2023)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 106 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1119cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1119cc3 years old106 tests33k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1119cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

84% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

84% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Polos from 2023 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about a year old. That's based on 106 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 33,452 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2023 models159th of 165(bottom 5%)

Rank among Volkswagen models666th of 1,086(bottom half)

vs average of all models+2%(82% avg)

vs 2023 models average-11%(95% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

33,452

Average miles

7,400

Expected for age

The average 2023 Volkswagen Polo had 33,452 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 7,400 miles for a 1-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2023 scores 84%, but cars from 2023 weren't due their first routine MOT until 2026, so its figure isn't compared here. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

MINI Cooper

2021 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

94%

+10%

Nissan Qashqai

2021 · 1332cc Petrol

£1,853/year

94%

+10%

Audi Q2

2021 · 999cc Petrol

£1,630/year

95%

+11%

Toyota Aygo

2021 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

95%

+11%

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About the 2023 Volkswagen Polo

The 2023 Volkswagen Polo is a city car. Our records list a 1119cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 106 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 5% of 2023 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 33,452 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Polo owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2023 Volkswagen Polo Fuel Costs

The modest 1119cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2023 Volkswagen Polo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Volkswagen Polo Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2023 Volkswagen Polo

At 3 years old, this is still relatively fresh. You may find examples with remaining manufacturer warranty. Depreciation is slowing but hasn't bottomed out yet. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Low risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2023 Volkswagen Polo stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Polo(2023)	84%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780
MINI Cooper(2021)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£73
Nissan Qashqai(2021)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853+£73
Audi Q2(2021)	95%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£150
Toyota Aygo(2021)	95%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2023 Volkswagen Polo

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Polo reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of MOT tests on 2023 Volkswagen Polos ended in a pass, from 106 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2023 Volkswagen Polo cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2023 Volkswagen Polo?

84% of 106 MOT tests on the 2023 Volkswagen Polo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 159th of 165 models first registered in 2023 (bottom 5%).

Which year Volkswagen Polo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Polo has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2003 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2023 Volkswagen Polo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2023 Volkswagen Polo is 33,452 miles, which is well above the expected 7,400 miles for a 1-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.