Comparison · small hatchbacks

Volkswagen Polo vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 95 for the Volkswagen Polo, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 738,875 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Polo

95Below average
MOT tests613,485

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testVolkswagen PoloHyundai i20
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
97Below average
105Above average
10–14 years
96Below average
96Below average
15+ years
88Well below average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen PoloHyundai i20
202188.7%85.8%
202087.9%89.0%
201983.1%87.8%
201875.9%85.4%
201777.4%83.1%
201675.5%80.7%
201572.7%78.7%
201467.5%69.0%
201363.6%62.0%
201262.0%58.3%
201158.4%59.1%
201057.1%59.3%
200954.3%57.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen PoloHyundai i20
Lights & electrics18.214.8
Brakes13.912.0
Suspension13.37.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.17.1
Tyres7.05.7
Emissions & leaks6.72.4
Body & chassis6.11.9
Steering3.31.1

Volkswagen Polo: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.6%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Polo or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 95 for the Volkswagen Polo, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Volkswagen Polo had the higher pass rate in 3 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 10.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Polo: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.