2021 Volkswagen Polo Evo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,079 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Polo Evo, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.2% in the 60-90k group versus 7.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 7.1% | 863 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.1% | 381 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 279 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 164 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 85 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 813 |
| 2 | Washers | 303 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 277 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 104 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 102 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 45 |
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 | 25.0% | 3,018 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.0% | 1,211 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.8% | 579 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 384 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.4% | 166 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 131 |
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 | 7,338 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 4,198 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 516 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 245 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 5,921 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 5,912 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Polo Evo
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Polo Evo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 7.1% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (3.1% 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 (2.3% 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 Polo Evos pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 12,079 2021 Volkswagen Polo Evo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo Evo?
Visibility, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.1%).
Does the 2021 Polo Evo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,079 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.