Used car guide

2013 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Volkswagen Polos, from 38,335 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

38,335MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Volkswagen Polos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Number plate lights2× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    12.3% All 2013 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    10.9% All 2013 cars
    6%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.5× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    13.3% All 2013 cars
    8.7%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Steering rack inner joints3.1× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    6.8% All 2013 cars
    2.2%
    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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    7.9% All 2013 cars
    4.4%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Ball joint: 2% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    28% 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
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Timing chain rattle (1.2 petrol)
    1.2 petrol

    The 1.2 petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch and rattle.

    At the viewing: Listen for a rattle in the first few seconds of a cold start.

    Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

  • 7-speed DSG automatic
    DSG automatic only

    Owners have reported problems with the 7-speed DSG.

    At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, test it in slow traffic and ask for proof of gearbox oil changes.

    Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

  • Loose camshaft adjuster bolts

    On cars built between December 2013 and December 2014, the camshaft adjuster bolts can work loose.

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check whether the fix was done for this car.

    Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)
    Diesel

    Diesels used mostly for short, cold journeys can clog the particulate filter.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it’s done and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

Looking at a Volkswagen Polo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
201237,118Suspension 40%
201138,656Suspension 49%
201036,122Suspension 52%
200922,048Suspension 50%
200823,214Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Volkswagen Polos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score