2019 Volkswagen Polo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 165,053 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volkswagen Polo, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, steering and tyres. Its pass rate of 89.3% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (90.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 12.9% in the 150k+ group versus 7.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.9% | 8,004 |
| 2 | Steering | 3.6% | 6,013 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.2% | 5,284 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 4,380 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 2,280 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.7% | 1,115 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 7,820 |
| 2 | Wipers | 7,200 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3,812 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,994 |
| 5 | Washers | 2,882 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,527 |
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 | 19.9% | 32,839 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 17,134 |
| 3 | Steering | 5.4% | 8,851 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 8,338 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 4,963 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.5% | 4,089 |
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 | 89,658 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 64,928 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 9,459 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 859 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 112 | 15.2% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 161,729 | 10.6% |
| Diesel | 3,322 | 13.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,992 | 4.4% |
| 2022 | 39,916 | 6.7% |
| 2023 | 40,237 | 9.2% |
| 2024 | 40,353 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 42,555 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Polo
Before buying a 2019 Volkswagen Polo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 4.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (4.9% 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.
- Steering (3.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- 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.
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 2019 Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 165,053 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Polo?
Visibility, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by steering (3.6%).
Does the 2019 Polo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 165,053 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.