1998 Volkswagen Polo · 2,416 MOT tests
1998 Volkswagen Polo reliability
1998 Volkswagen Polos fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 24 Polo years (2,416 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 42.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 29% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 65,625
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,416
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6.8% of tests fail here (145% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 59% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15%
- Suspension12.5%
- Brakes12.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.3%
- Body, chassis and structure9.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%
- Tyres6.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.84%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 4.26%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.27%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.23%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.77%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Exhaust has major gas leak 2.65%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.84%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.8%) · Wheel bearing slight play (9.85%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.4%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.36%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.99%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Polo year
The full picture: Volkswagen Polo reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Polo, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
1998 Volkswagen Polos fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 24 Polo years (2,416 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.84% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (4.26% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.27% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Volkswagen Polo shows 65,625 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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