Part of the Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW) (2017–2024) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2023 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Volkswagen Polos, from 866 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

866MOT tests in 2025
93%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
6,700typical miles a year
10%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    10% 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
    5% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    2% 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.

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.

  • Three recalls
    All engines

    Recalls covered seatbelt buckles that could unlatch (2018), the handbrake adjuster (2019) and the brake servo on some cars built late 2019 to early 2020.

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Polo Mk6 review

  • Sticking turbo actuator (TSI petrol)
    TSI petrol

    Cars that do very few miles can have the turbo actuator seize, and the usual fix is a rebuilt turbo.

    At the viewing: Check for flat acceleration or a warning light on the test drive.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Polo Mk6 review

Looking at a Volkswagen Polo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202222,672Tyres 22%
202127,403Tyres 27%
202026,294Tyres 25%
201936,646Tyres 27%
201843,728Suspension 30%
201745,893Tyres 31%
201651,811Tyres 31%
201551,312Tyres 31%
201444,293Suspension 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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Volkswagen Polos registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score