2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 74.9% of Volkswagen Polos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 131,403 Polo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were steering, tyres and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Polos first used in 2018 (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 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Polos first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Polo figure was 6.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Polo | All cars first used 2018 | Polo first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.0% | 87.6% | 43,936 |
| 2022 | 87.9% | 86.3% | 43,746 |
| 2023 | 80.0% | 84.2% | 43,785 |
| 2024 | 75.9% | 82.5% | 43,891 |
| 2025 | 74.9% | 80.9% | 43,727 |
Common 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures
Share of the 30,339 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 42.2% | 12,810 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.7% | 2,654 |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 8.7% | 2,640 |
| Washers: not working | 6.5% | 1,981 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 5.4% | 1,633 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Volkswagen Polo before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Polos, as a share of all 131,403 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.3% | 20,044 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.0% | 11,812 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.7% | 8,832 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 6.2% | 8,121 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 3.9% | 5,136 |
Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Volkswagen Polo?
In 2025, 74.9% of Polos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Polo most often fail its MOT on?
Steering (in 52.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (19.2%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (17.5%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (42.2%).
How often does a 2018 Volkswagen Polo fail its MOT?
In 2025, 25.1% of first tests on Polos first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 21.8% failed, and a further 3.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 30,339 of 131,403 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.0%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.7%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (6.2%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (3.9%).
Is a 2018 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 91.0% in 2021 to 74.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Polo?
The numbers above cover every Polo first used in 2018 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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