2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 48.4% of Volkswagen Polos first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. Across 59,999 Polo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Polos first used in 2006 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Polos first used in 2006 against all cars first used in 2006 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Polo figure was 8.6 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2006 Polo | All cars first used 2006 | Polo first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50.8% | 55.5% | 26,710 |
| 2022 | 50.7% | 56.0% | 24,720 |
| 2023 | 49.4% | 56.2% | 22,574 |
| 2024 | 48.5% | 56.1% | 20,072 |
| 2025 | 48.4% | 57.0% | 17,353 |
Common 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures
Share of the 30,734 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 19.5% | 5,991 |
| Position lamp: not working | 13.1% | 4,022 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 11.5% | 3,540 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 9.6% | 2,937 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 8.1% | 2,495 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2006 Volkswagen Polo before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2006 Polos, as a share of all 59,999 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 19.5% | 11,671 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 12.8% | 7,701 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 10.1% | 6,050 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 8.9% | 5,321 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 8.2% | 4,947 |
Questions about the 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2006 Volkswagen Polo?
In 2025, 48.4% of Polos first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2006 Polo most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 56.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (32.8%) and body, chassis and structure (32.7%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (19.5%).
How often does a 2006 Volkswagen Polo fail its MOT?
In 2025, 51.6% of first tests on Polos first used in 2006 did not pass first time: 42.9% failed, and a further 8.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 30,734 of 59,999 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.8%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (10.1%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (8.9%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (8.2%).
Is a 2006 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 50.8% in 2021 to 48.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2006
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2006 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2006 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2006 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2006 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2006 Polo?
The numbers above cover every Polo first used in 2006 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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