2021 Volkswagen Polo United S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 736 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Polo United S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 2.7% | 20 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.7% | 20 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 4 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 6 | Electronic power steering | 1 |
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 | 19.0% | 140 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 55 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 11 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 10 |
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 | 597 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 134 | 11.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 350 | 5.7% |
| 2025 | 361 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Polo United S-A
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Polo United S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 2.7% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (2.7% 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 (2.7% 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 (1.1% 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 United S-As pass their MOT?
93.8% of the 736 2021 Volkswagen Polo United S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo United S-A?
Visibility, recorded in 2.7% of tests, followed by tyres (2.7%).
Does the 2021 Polo United S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 11.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 736 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.