2017 · 7 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2017 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate and common faults

43,423 MOT tests in 2024. 77.4% passed first time, compared with 79.8% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time77.4%
Failed or needed repairs22.6%
Typical mileage at test45,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 43,423 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    1,311 marked dangerous
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
    938 marked dangerous
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.2%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
    713 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: not working1.1%
  10. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes9.7%
  2. Suspension7.6%
  3. Tyres6.3%
  4. Lights & electrics5.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.9%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.2%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.4%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.0%

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: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2016 PoloAll Polo years2018 Polo →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2024, 77.4% of 2017 Volkswagen Polo cars passed their MOT first time, across 43,423 tests. The average for all 7-year-old cars was 79.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2017 Volkswagen Polo?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Polo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).