Used car guide · 2017–2024

Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW): best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW) did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 153,026 MOT tests.

2022best year: 92% pass first time, 3 points above all 2022 cars
2018weakest year: 75% pass first time, 6 points below all 2018 cars
Track rod endsthe weak spot that shows up in 4 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW), against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

60%80%100%2017: 76% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%) 76% 2017*2018: 75% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%) 75% 20182019: 79% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%) 79% 20192020: 86% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%) 86% 20202021: 88% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 88% 20212022: 92% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 92% 2022
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2017*76%78% -2Suspension arm bushes and joints 3.1× usual45,884
201875%81% -6Track rod ends 13.5× usual43,719
201979%84% -5Track rod ends 15.5× usual36,634
202086%86% +0Track rod ends 11.4× usual13,752
202188%87% +1Track rod ends 9× usual6,255
202292%89% +3Nothing unusual6,782

Weak spots across the Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW)

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Track rod endsup to 15.5× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Shock absorbersup to 2.6× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2019, 2018.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

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

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Three recalls

    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.

    Check: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Polo Mk6 review

  • Sticking turbo actuator (TSI petrol)

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

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

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Polo Mk6 review

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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