2011 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
259,877 MOT tests on the 2011 Volkswagen Polo are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 24.0%, so the 2011 Polo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.3%) and suspension (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and headlamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 15,091 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 19.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.6pp more often than petrol ones (27.8% vs 24.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 37,248 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 32,066 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 19,868 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 13,178 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 12,493 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 10,311 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 15,091 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15,090 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 11,686 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 10,693 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 9,141 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 8,501 |
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 | 32.2% | 83,780 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 72,650 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.6% | 45,861 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.9% | 28,267 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 27,797 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 26,855 |
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 | 10,690 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 59,394 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 98,640 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 65,451 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 20,614 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 5,049 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 224,264 | 24.3% |
| Diesel | 35,612 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52,205 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 52,497 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 52,678 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 52,001 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 50,496 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Polo
On a 2011 Polo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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 (7.6% 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 2011 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 259,877 2011 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Volkswagen Polo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2011 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 259,877 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.