2021 Volkswagen Polo United — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,092 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Polo United, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.2% 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 | 5.1% | 56 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 14 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 10 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 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 | 72 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 6 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 6 | Washers | 5 |
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 | 22.6% | 247 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.8% | 85 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 36 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.5% | 27 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.2% | 24 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 735 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 338 | 8.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 67 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 514 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 510 | 7.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Polo United
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Polo United, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 5.1% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (5.1% 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 (3.2% 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 (1.3% 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 Uniteds pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 1,092 2021 Volkswagen Polo United MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo United?
Visibility, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.2%).
Does the 2021 Polo United get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,092 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.