2021 Volkswagen Polo S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,253 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Polo S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.9% | 396 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 306 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 260 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 115 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 68 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 397 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 219 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 89 |
| 4 | Washers | 89 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 76 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 58 |
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 | 20.5% | 2,107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 822 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.5% | 361 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 286 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.6% | 163 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 87 |
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 | 7,404 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,466 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 357 | 9.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 170 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 4,989 | 6.6% |
| 2025 | 5,092 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Polo S-A
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Polo S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 3.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (3.9% 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 (3.0% 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 (2.5% 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 S-As pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 10,253 2021 Volkswagen Polo S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo S-A?
Visibility, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by tyres (3.0%).
Does the 2021 Polo S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,253 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.