Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Polos, from 23,214 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

23,214MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volkswagen Polos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    16.3% All 2008 cars
    7.2%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Exhaust system1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    15.4% All 2008 cars
    9%
    Rough price £100–£500

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Side repeaters5× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    7.5% All 2008 cars
    1.5%
    Rough price £10–£80

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

  • Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    7.9% All 2008 cars
    3.5%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod end1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    9.9% All 2008 cars
    5.5%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Brake pads: 4% here, against 8.7% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% 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
    36% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Volkswagen Polo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,782Tyres 21%
20216,255Tyres 27%
202013,752Tyres 25%
201936,634Tyres 27%
201843,719Suspension 30%
201745,884Tyres 31%
201651,800Tyres 31%
201551,297Tyres 31%
201444,283Tyres 32%
201338,335Suspension 37%
201237,118Suspension 40%
201138,656Suspension 49%
201036,122Suspension 52%
200922,048Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volkswagen Polos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score