2006 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
151,887 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Polo are in this dataset, and 69.4% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (28.4% fail rate), the 2006 Polo comes out 2.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.5% of all tests — 8.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 12,888 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.7% in the 0-30k band and 34.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.6-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.5% of the time against 30.9% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 31,074 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 17,955 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 17,894 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.1% | 15,365 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 12,612 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 10,486 |
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 | 12,888 |
| 2 | Joints | 12,847 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 10,868 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 10,255 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 8,611 |
| 6 | Washers | 8,034 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.4% | 46,246 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.5% | 41,820 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 24.5% | 37,205 |
| 4 | Brakes | 21.3% | 32,417 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 30,122 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 19,525 |
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 | 3,004 | 17.7% |
| 30-60k | 20,509 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 45,622 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 48,026 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 24,973 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 9,674 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 136,803 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 15,081 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36,398 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 33,582 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 30,820 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 27,445 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 23,642 | 31.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Polo
On a 2006 Polo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.8% 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 2006 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 151,887 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Polo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2006 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 151,887 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.