2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

10,500 MOT tests in 2024. 47.5% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

83Well below average
Passed first time47.5%
Failed or needed repairs52.5%
Typical mileage at test94,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 10,500 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect8.7%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.2%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.8%
  4. Position lamp: not working5.6%
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.7%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.6%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    572 marked dangerous
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics44.5%
  2. Suspension26.3%
  3. Emissions & leaks23.5%
  4. Brakes22.6%
  5. Body & chassis15.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.9%
  7. Tyres10.0%
  8. Steering4.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.7%
  4. Registration plates: inscription illegible10.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 47.5% of 2003 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 10,500 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 83, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).