1991 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,662 MOT tests, the 1991 Volkswagen Polo recorded a 76.0% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 23.4%, so the 1991 Polo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.2%) and brakes (11.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, exhaust system and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 83 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.9% versus 20.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 220 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 186 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 182 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.9% | 165 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 71 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.3% | 55 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 83 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 81 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 75 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 74 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 71 |
| 6 | Joints | 70 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.3% | 553 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.7% | 543 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 372 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.1% | 301 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.2% | 285 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 183 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 111 | 20.7% |
| 30-60k | 297 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 446 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 392 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 239 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 175 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 364 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 379 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 338 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 293 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 288 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Polo
On a 1991 Polo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1991 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 1,662 1991 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Volkswagen Polo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by brakes (11.2%).
Does the 1991 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 0-30k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,662 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.