2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 78.7% of Volkswagen Polos first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. Across 109,998 Polo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were steering, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Polos first used in 2019 (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

Passed first time, 2025
78.7%
of 36,623 first tests; all cars first used in 2019: 83.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
109,998
first tests, 2023–2025; 36,623 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
47.9%
of 36,623 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
39,000
middle half: 28,000–52,000 miles; all cars first used in 2019: 44,000

How the 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Polos first used in 2019 against all cars first used in 2019 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Polo figure was 4.8 points lower.

2019 PoloAll cars first used in 2019
70%80%90%100%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2019, test year 2021: 89.2%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2022: 87.8%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2023: 86.2%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2024: 84.9%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2025: 83.5%2019 Polo, test year 2021: 92.1%2019 Polo, test year 2022: 88%2019 Polo, test year 2023: 85.5%2019 Polo, test year 2024: 83%2019 Polo, test year 2025: 78.7%83.5%78.7%
View this chart as a table
Test year2019 PoloAll cars first used 2019Polo first tests
202192.1%89.2%1,914
202288.0%87.8%37,348
202385.5%86.2%36,694
202483.0%84.9%36,681
202578.7%83.5%36,623

Common 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures

Share of the 19,322 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%.

Steering30.9%
Visibility30.2%
Tyres21.6%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment17.0%
Brakes10.0%
Suspension5.3%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems3.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks2.9%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt25.6%4,939
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively19.0%3,677
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm8.8%1,693
Headlamp aim: too low6.3%1,213
Washers: not working6.3%1,210

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2019 Volkswagen Polo before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
  2. 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.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2019 Polos, as a share of all 109,998 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.2%14,486
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.6%8,373
Brake pads: wearing thin5.5%6,065
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.9%5,432
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.9%3,152

Questions about the 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2019 Volkswagen Polo?

In 2025, 78.7% of Polos first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2019 Polo most often fail its MOT on?

Steering (in 30.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (30.2%) and tyres (21.6%). 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” (25.6%).

How often does a 2019 Volkswagen Polo fail its MOT?

In 2025, 21.3% of first tests on Polos first used in 2019 did not pass first time: 17.8% failed, and a further 3.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 19,322 of 109,998 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.9%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (2.9%).

Is a 2019 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 92.1% in 2021 to 78.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2019

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2019 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2019 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2019 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics

How the 2019 Volkswagen Polo MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2019 Polo” means a Volkswagen Polo whose date of first use falls in 2019 (68, 19 and 69 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2019, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.