2002 Volkswagen Polo · 25,454 MOT tests
2002 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2002 Volkswagen Polos fail 51.9% of first MOT tests, 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Polo years (25,454 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 51.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 91,012
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 25,454
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- 2003 cars: 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 14.5% of tests fail here (107% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics28.6%
- Suspension20.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks14.5%
- Brakes14%
- Body, chassis and structure12.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.4%
- Tyres9.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 8.58%
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 6.17%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.18%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.11%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Stop lamp not working 4.47%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 4.47%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.58%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (12.16%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.38%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.69%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.54%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (8.31%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Polo year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2002 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2002 Volkswagen Polos fail 51.9% of first MOT tests, 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Polo years (25,454 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (8.58% of tests), position lamp not working (6.17% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.18% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Volkswagen Polo shows 91,012 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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