2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 60.7% of Volkswagen Polos first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 112,372 Polo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Polos first used in 2012 (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 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Polos first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Polo figure was 2.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Polo | All cars first used 2012 | Polo first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67.0% | 68.8% | 37,812 |
| 2022 | 66.2% | 67.4% | 37,651 |
| 2023 | 63.5% | 65.6% | 37,722 |
| 2024 | 62.0% | 64.3% | 37,644 |
| 2025 | 60.7% | 63.5% | 37,006 |
Common 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures
Share of the 42,603 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 11.1% | 4,738 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 10.2% | 4,342 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 9.9% | 4,204 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.2% | 3,910 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 8.7% | 3,689 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Polo in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 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.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Polos, as a share of all 112,372 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.6% | 18,632 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.8% | 13,231 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.4% | 11,741 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.0% | 10,063 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 8.2% | 9,182 |
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Volkswagen Polo?
In 2025, 60.7% of Polos first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Polo most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 47.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (35.6%) and brakes (26.0%). The single most common item was “Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak” (11.1%).
How often does a 2012 Volkswagen Polo fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.3% of first tests on Polos first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 31.1% failed, and a further 8.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 42,603 of 112,372 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.8%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.0%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (8.2%).
Is a 2012 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 67.0% in 2021 to 60.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Polo?
The numbers above cover every Polo first used in 2012 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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