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

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

Used car guide

2017 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Polo first registered in 2017: we looked at the 45,893 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

45,893MOTs of 2017 cars, done in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Volkswagen Polo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Volkswagen Polo than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.1× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    15.1% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

  • Braking performance2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    4.5% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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 system1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Polo
    2.5% All 2017 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    25% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% 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
    7% 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
    3% 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.

Known faults on the 2017 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 2017 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2017 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2017 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2017 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
2023866Tyres 10%
202222,675Tyres 22%
202129,863Tyres 27%
202026,294Tyres 25%
201936,646Tyres 27%
201843,728Suspension 30%
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%
1999760Brakes 38%
1998375Suspension 41%
1997307Suspension 40%
1996277Suspension 45%
1995105Suspension 44%
1994145Lights and electrics 36%
1993234Lights and electrics 39%
1992189Suspension 35%
1991243Suspension 37%
1990146Lights and electrics 39%
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 2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Polo cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score