2021 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo passed 92.5% of its 64,721 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (7.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.5%) and tyres (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 2,934 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 13.3% once past 90-120k — 2.2× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.1% in 2021 to 7.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.5% | 2,936 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.2% | 2,097 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 1,274 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 785 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 434 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 190 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,934 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,244 |
| 3 | Washers | 841 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 687 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 547 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 210 |
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 | 23.2% | 14,998 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 5,694 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 2,602 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,908 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.9% | 1,224 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.0% | 657 |
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 | 44,092 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 18,851 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,624 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 1,272 | 4.6% |
| 2024 | 31,288 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 32,051 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Polo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 4.5% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (4.5% 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.
- Tyres (3.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 64,721 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo?
Visibility, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by tyres (3.2%).
Does the 2021 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 64,721 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.