2018 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
248,509 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Polo are in this dataset, and 87.1% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 11.3% of the time, so this is 1.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in steering, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: steering, recorded in 6.8% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, headlamp aim and washers — track rod end alone was recorded 23,446 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 24.0% in the 150k+ band, a 15.7-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 12.9% of the time against 14.3% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 6.8% | 16,799 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.4% | 8,455 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 7,801 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 6,433 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.7% | 4,213 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 2,713 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 23,446 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 5,664 |
| 3 | Washers | 5,256 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 5,199 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3,536 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 2,516 |
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 | 21.5% | 53,459 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 30,077 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.1% | 17,773 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 12,447 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.1% | 10,119 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 5,892 |
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 | 114,868 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 108,383 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 22,323 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,531 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 296 | 19.9% |
| 150k+ | 100 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 246,680 | 12.9% |
| Diesel | 1,829 | 14.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,275 | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 47,331 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 50,669 | 14.4% |
| 2024 | 51,775 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 52,459 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Polo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: steering accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Steering (6.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2018 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
87.1% of the 248,509 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volkswagen Polo?
Steering, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by tyres (3.4%).
Does the 2018 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 248,509 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.