Used car guide

1998 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Volkswagen Polos, from 375 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 375 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

375MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
2,400typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Volkswagen Polos than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.6× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    17.9% All 1998 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wheel bearings2.8× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    17.9% All 1998 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    13.3% All 1998 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Number plates2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    12.8% All 1998 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    9.3% All 1998 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 4.4% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 1998 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    38% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    23% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Polo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023866Tyres 10%
202222,675Tyres 22%
202129,863Tyres 27%
202026,294Tyres 25%
201936,646Tyres 27%
201843,728Suspension 30%
201745,893Tyres 31%
201651,811Tyres 31%
201551,312Tyres 31%
201444,293Tyres 32%
201338,351Suspension 37%
201237,125Suspension 40%
201138,667Suspension 49%
201036,123Suspension 52%
200922,048Suspension 50%
200823,214Suspension 47%
200721,020Suspension 46%
200617,454Lights and electrics 49%
200513,188Suspension 50%
200410,815Suspension 50%
20038,595Suspension 50%
20024,945Suspension 53%
20013,130Suspension 44%
20002,015Suspension 41%
1999760Suspension 38%
1997307Suspension 40%
1996277Suspension 45%
1995105Suspension 44%
1994145Lights and electrics 36%
1993234Lights and electrics 39%
1992189Lights and electrics 35%
1991243Suspension 37%
1990146Lights and electrics 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Volkswagen Polos registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score