2001 Volkswagen Polo · 15,970 MOT tests
2001 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2001 Volkswagen Polos fail 46.3% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 Polo years (15,970 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 46.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 82,760
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 15,970
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- 2002 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.7% of tests fail here (74% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 14% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26%
- Brakes14.5%
- Body, chassis and structure13.6%
- Suspension12.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.5%
- Tyres7.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 6.11%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.74%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 4.97%
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 4.51%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.38%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 3.73%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (21.88%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.23%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (11.26%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (11.03%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.59%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.37%)
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 2001 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2001 Volkswagen Polos fail 46.3% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 Polo years (15,970 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (6.11% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.74% of tests), position lamp not working (4.97% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2001 Volkswagen Polo shows 82,760 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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