2008 Volkswagen Polo · 89,897 MOT tests
2008 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2008 Volkswagen Polos fail 47% of first MOT tests, 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 Polo years (89,897 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 47%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 87,443
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 89,897
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 12.1% of tests fail here (87% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.2%
- Suspension17.1%
- Brakes13.4%
- Body, chassis and structure12.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.9%
- Tyres7.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.39%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Position lamp not working 4.71%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.22%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.92%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.62%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Side repeater not working 3.45%
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.4%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.82%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (8.08%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (6.86%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.5%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.31%)
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 2008 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2008 Volkswagen Polos fail 47% of first MOT tests, 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 Polo years (89,897 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (5.39% of tests), position lamp not working (4.71% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.22% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Volkswagen Polo shows 87,443 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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