Part of the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (6R) (2009–2017) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Polo first registered in 2012: we looked at the 111,805 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

111,805MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2023–2025
62%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Polo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    13% All 2012 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Number plate lights1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    12.7% All 2012 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    8.9% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

  • Exhaust system1.6× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    8.1% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

  • Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    4.5% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    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 5.1% of all 2012 cars. Ball joint: 1.7% here, against 5.3% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    26% 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
    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 on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo

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

  • 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.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Polo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the timing chain been checked or replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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

Every year of the Volkswagen Polo compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023932Tyres 11%
202223,387Tyres 22%
202159,495Tyres 25%
202077,982Tyres 22%
2019108,465Tyres 25%
2018129,299Tyres 28%
2017136,341Tyres 31%
2016153,889Tyres 30%
2015152,852Tyres 31%
2014131,591Tyres 32%
2013115,115Suspension 32%
2011118,495Suspension 45%
2010112,381Suspension 48%
200969,765Suspension 47%
200875,631Suspension 44%
200769,689Suspension 43%
200659,926Lights and electrics 47%
200546,730Suspension 47%
200439,494Suspension 48%
200332,066Suspension 48%
200218,644Suspension 51%
200111,687Lights and electrics 43%
20007,635Lights and electrics 40%
19992,829Brakes 37%
19981,496Brakes 37%
19971,163Suspension 40%
19961,029Suspension 42%
1995430Suspension 46%
1994487Brakes 35%
1993765Suspension 37%
1992627Suspension 33%
1991770Brakes 37%
1990490Lights and electrics 40%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Polo cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score