2013 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 241,184 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Volkswagen Polo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 79.0% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (78.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.5% in the 150k+ group versus 10.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 30,840 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 19,077 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 17,024 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 12,634 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 10,891 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 6,840 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 13,335 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 11,140 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 8,102 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 7,810 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 6,895 |
| 6 | Washers | 6,668 |
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 | 26.9% | 64,974 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 50,153 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.5% | 49,567 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.2% | 27,105 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 19,331 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 13,042 |
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 | 17,510 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 81,820 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 91,954 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 39,166 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 8,754 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,951 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 216,758 | 20.4% |
| Diesel | 24,411 | 25.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 47,117 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 47,497 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 48,769 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 49,081 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 48,720 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Polo
Before buying a 2013 Volkswagen Polo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2013 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 241,184 2013 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volkswagen Polo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by suspension (7.9%).
Does the 2013 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 241,184 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.