2010 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 250,952 MOT tests, the 2010 Volkswagen Polo recorded a 74.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and suspension (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 14,911 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.8% versus 11.7%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.5% fail against 28.5% for diesel, a 3.0-point gap across 250,941 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 35,287 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 34,581 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 20,510 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 13,656 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 13,124 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 10,208 |
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 | 14,911 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 13,295 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 10,412 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 9,627 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 8,930 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8,790 |
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 | 33.2% | 83,403 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.4% | 71,164 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.3% | 48,422 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 31,245 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.8% | 29,691 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 25,990 |
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 | 10,132 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 50,749 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 86,581 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 70,340 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 26,325 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 6,783 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 220,225 | 25.5% |
| Diesel | 30,716 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 51,411 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 51,389 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 50,882 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 49,691 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 47,579 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Polo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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.
- Brakes (8.2% 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.
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 2010 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 250,952 2010 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volkswagen Polo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2010 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 250,952 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.