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

Used car guide

2022 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Polo first registered in 2022: we looked at the 23,387 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

23,387MOTs of 2022 cars, done in 2023–2025
92%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
6,800typical miles a year
22%had tyres flagged

Common 2022 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2022 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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
    7% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Known faults on the 2022 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.

  • 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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2022 Volkswagen Polo

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

  1. Has all the recall work been done?
  2. Has the turbo had any work?
  3. 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%
202159,486Tyres 25%
202077,980Tyres 22%
2019108,465Tyres 25%
2018129,299Tyres 28%
2017136,341Tyres 31%
2016153,888Tyres 30%
2015152,852Tyres 31%
2014131,590Tyres 32%
2013115,106Tyres 32%
2012111,797Suspension 35%
2011118,494Suspension 45%
2010112,381Suspension 48%
200969,765Suspension 47%
200875,631Suspension 44%
200769,689Suspension 43%
200659,926Lights and electrics 47%
200546,730Suspension 47%
200439,493Suspension 48%
200332,066Suspension 48%
200218,644Suspension 51%
200111,687Lights and electrics 43%
20007,635Brakes 40%
19992,825Brakes 37%
19981,492Brakes 37%
19971,152Suspension 40%
19961,017Suspension 42%
1995430Suspension 46%
1994487Brakes 35%
1993765Brakes 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 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score