Volkswagen Polo common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Polo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 1,873,382 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1977 Volkswagen Polo
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen Polo as a whole.
What to check on a 1977 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977
Generation guides: Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (6R) (2009–2017) · Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (AW) (2017–2024)
What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Polo?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2009–2017 · 1.2 petrol
Timing chain rattle (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.
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · All engines
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.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.
- Cars registered 2002–2005 · 1.2 petrol, 2002 to 2005
Timing chain stretch (1.2 petrol, 2002–05)
The early 1.2’s timing chain stretches, making it run lumpily and rattle, and it can snap.
At the viewing: Listen for rattling at a cold start and for lumpy running.
- Cars registered 2009–2017 · DSG automatic only
7-speed DSG automatic
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.
- Cars registered 2009–2017 · Diesel
Blocked particulate filter (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
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · TSI petrol
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.
At the viewing: Check for flat acceleration or a warning light on the test drive.
- Cars registered 2002–2008 · All engines
Fire-risk and brake recalls
Recalls covered fuel pump cover bolts (cars built March to Aug 2004), seats that could catch fire (built May 2005 to Feb 2007), heated seat wiring and a brake servo pipe that could crack.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Cars registered 2002–2008 · 1.4 and 1.6 petrol
Broken cambelt tensioner (1.4 and 1.6 petrol)
The plastic cambelt tensioner can break.
At the viewing: Ask when the cambelt and tensioner were last changed.
- Cars registered 2002–2008 · Petrol
Coils and EGR valves
Failing ignition coils and EGR valves cause misfires, hard starting and a lumpy idle.
At the viewing: Listen for misfires and check the engine light goes out.
- Cars registered 2002–2008 · All engines
Rust in the front arches and windscreen base
The arch liners rub through the front wheel arches, and rust forms under the windscreen seal.
At the viewing: Look inside the front arches and along the bottom of the windscreen.
2 more known faults
- Cars registered 2013–2015
Loose camshaft adjuster bolts
On cars built between December 2013 and December 2014, the camshaft adjuster bolts can work loose.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check whether the fix was done for this car.
- Cars registered 2002–2008 · All engines
Window and instrument faults
Electric window faults are common, and bad solder in the instrument cluster causes random warning lights and a faulty fuel gauge.
At the viewing: Try every window and watch the gauges.
Common Volkswagen Polo MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Exhaust system
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 1993, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Flexible brake hoses
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 3.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 3× usualStands out on cars registered in 1992, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Wheel bearings
up to 2.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Volkswagen Polo did best (92% passed first time, 3 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2005 did worst (48%, 9 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92% | 92% +0 | 932 |
| 2022 | 92% | 89% +3 | 23,387 |
| 2021 | 88% | 87% +1 | 59,495 |
| 2020 | 88% | 87% +1 | 77,982 |
| 2019 | 82% | 85% -3 | 108,465 |
| 2018 | 77% | 83% -6 | 129,299 |
| 2017 | 78% | 80% -2 | 136,341 |
| 2016 | 76% | 77% -1 | 153,889 |
| 2015 | 73% | 74% -1 | 152,852 |
| 2014 | 68% | 70% -2 | 131,591 |
| 2013 | 64% | 67% -3 | 115,115 |
| 2012 | 62% | 64% -2 | 111,805 |
| 2011 | 59% | 62% -3 | 118,495 |
| 2010 | 57% | 60% -3 | 112,381 |
| 2009 | 54% | 59% -5 | 69,765 |
| 2008 | 52% | 57% -5 | 75,631 |
| 2007 | 52% | 57% -5 | 69,689 |
| 2006 | 49% | 56% -7 | 59,926 |
| 2005 | 48% | 57% -9 | 46,730 |
| 2004 | 48% | 57% -9 | 39,494 |
| 2003 | 47% | 57% -10 | 32,066 |
| 2002 | 49% | 58% -9 | 18,644 |
| 2001 | 54% | 60% -6 | 11,687 |
| 2000 | 55% | 61% -6 | 7,635 |
| 1999 | 61% | 63% -2 | 2,829 |
| 1998 | 58% | 65% -7 | 1,496 |
| 1997 | 59% | 65% -6 | 1,163 |
| 1996 | 61% | 66% -5 | 1,029 |
| 1995 | 62% | 67% -5 | 430 (small sample) |
| 1994 | 64% | 67% -3 | 487 (small sample) |
| 1993 | 57% | 68% -11 | 765 |
| 1992 | 67% | 69% -2 | 627 |
| 1991 | 68% | 71% -3 | 770 |
| 1990 | 60% | 72% -12 | 490 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Polo
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the timing chain been checked or replaced?
- Has all the recall work been done?
- Has the timing chain been replaced, and is there an invoice?
- Has the turbo had any work?
- Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
Looking at a Volkswagen Polo?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score