2023 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 952 MOT tests, the 2023 Volkswagen Polo recorded a 94.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (5.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and seat belts & restraints.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (2.0%) and tyres (1.6%) 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 shock absorbers — wipers alone was recorded 21 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 10.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 2.0% | 19 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.6% | 15 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.6% | 15 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 10 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.8% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 21 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 3 |
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 | 10.2% | 97 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.6% | 44 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 17 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.5% | 14 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 9 |
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 | 753 | 3.7% |
| 30-60k | 179 | 11.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 880 | 4.4% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Polo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 2.0% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (2.0% 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 (1.6% 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.
- Seat belts & restraints (1.6% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
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 2023 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
94.8% of the 952 2023 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volkswagen Polo?
Visibility, recorded in 2.0% of tests, followed by tyres (1.6%).
Does the 2023 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.7% in the 0-30k band to 11.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 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.