MOT performance
Volkswagen Polo AW (2017 on): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 241,469 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Polo AW in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Jan 2018 onwards, on average 3.7 years old at test), 83.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the AW failed 21% more often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the 6R, it fails 12% more often once age and mileage are allowed for (1.21× vs 1.08×).
241,469 MOT tests on 133,106 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 83.8% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 241,469 |
| All Volkswagen Polos | 67.0% | n = 1,255,982 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.21× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Volkswagen Polo overall 1.12× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 3.2% | n = 241,469 |
| Average age at test | 3.7 years | n = 241,469 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2017 on | Nov 2017 to now |
AW against the other Volkswagen Polo generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6R (2009–2017) | 664,940 | 9.4 yrs | 67.9% | +8% | 7.4% |
| AW (2017 on) | 241,469 | 3.7 yrs | 83.8% | +21% | 3.2% |
Where the AW differs
- Steering: the AW failed 1022% more often than the Volkswagen Polo overall, relative to comparable cars (16.42× vs 1.46×).
- Body, chassis and structure: the AW failed 68% less often than the Volkswagen Polo overall, relative to comparable cars (0.49× vs 1.50×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the AW failed 64% more often than the Volkswagen Polo overall, relative to comparable cars (2.06× vs 1.26×).
- Suspension: the AW failed 48% less often than the Volkswagen Polo overall, relative to comparable cars (0.59× vs 1.14×).
| Area | 6R (vs similar) | AW (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1.3% (-33%) | 5.0% (+1542%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.3% (+13%) | 4.9% (+52%) |
| Tyres | 6.4% (-3%) | 3.7% (-22%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 12.0% (+6%) | 2.6% (-11%) |
| Brakes | 8.9% (+40%) | 1.6% (-30%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% (+57%) | 0.7% (+107%) |
| Suspension | 10.8% (+16%) | 0.7% (-41%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% (+20%) | 0.4% (-24%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.5% (+24%) | 0.2% (-51%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% (-4%) | 0.1% (-14%) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (+17%) | 0.1% (-6%) |
Most common Volkswagen Polo AW failure items
3 of these 5 items are not among the Volkswagen Polo's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Steering | 4.09% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.81% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.43% |
| Washers: not working | Driver's view of the road | 1.20% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.05% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | 6R pass rate (tests) | AW pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 85.1% (131,465) |
| 5-6 | 79.4% (74,749) | 76.8% (65,301) |
| 7-8 | 74.6% (194,492) | — |
| 9-10 | 66.4% (164,657) | — |
| 11-12 | 60.9% (154,266) | — |
| 13-15 | 57.0% (76,776) | — |
Registration years in the AW
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the AW (Nov 2017 to now). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Volkswagen Polo AW
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.