2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 88.0% of Volkswagen Polos first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 61,459 Polo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), tyres and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Polos first used in 2021 (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 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Polos first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Polo figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Polo | All cars first used 2021 | Polo first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 81 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 19 |
| 2023 | 93.6% | 90.8% | 1,227 |
| 2024 | 88.7% | 87.6% | 30,306 |
| 2025 | 88.0% | 87.2% | 29,926 |
Common 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures
Share of the 7,087 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 32.1% | 2,276 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 12.8% | 908 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 7.6% | 538 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.1% | 505 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.7% | 478 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 Volkswagen Polo before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Polos, as a share of all 61,459 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.6% | 7,151 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.0% | 6,785 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.4% | 2,681 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.0% | 1,866 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 2.3% | 1,408 |
Questions about the 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Volkswagen Polo?
In 2025, 88.0% of Polos first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Polo most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 42.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (30.1%) and lamps and electrical equipment (18.2%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (32.1%).
How often does a 2021 Volkswagen Polo fail its MOT?
In 2025, 12.0% of first tests on Polos first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 8.5% failed, and a further 3.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,087 of 61,459 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Polo MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 11.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (11.0%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.0%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (2.3%).
Is a 2021 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 93.6% in 2023 to 88.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2021 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2021 Ford Transit Custom MOT statistics · 2021 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2021 Tesla Model 3 MOT statistics · 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2021 Polo?
The numbers above cover every Polo first used in 2021 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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