MOT performance
2004 Volkswagen Polo: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 28,786 MOT tests on 2004-registered Volkswagen Polos in 2023–2024 (on average 18.9 years old at test, median 94,062 miles), 47.5% passed first time, 19.5 points lower than the Volkswagen Polo overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2004 Volkswagen Polos failed 22% more often than comparable cars.
28,786 MOT tests on 15,547 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 47.5% | ±0.6 pts (95%), n = 28,786 |
| All Volkswagen Polos | 67.0% | n = 1,255,982 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.22× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 11.8% | n = 28,786 |
| Average age at test | 18.9 years | n = 28,786 |
Where 2004 Volkswagen Polos fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 29.3% | +38% |
| Suspension | 19.2% | +18% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 14.8% | +71% |
| Brakes | 14.0% | +7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.6% | +67% |
| Driver's view of the road | 9.8% | +28% |
| Tyres | 9.5% | +44% |
| Steering | 4.5% | +14% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.9% | -33% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.9% | +28% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | -45% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -18% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 10.54% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 8.11% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.41% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.95% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.54% |
Check a specific 2004 Volkswagen Polo
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.