2012 Volkswagen Polo · 129,511 MOT tests
2012 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2012 Volkswagen Polos fail 35.3% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 24 Polo years (129,511 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 35.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 71,691
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 129,511
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 4% of tests fail here (37% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 42% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.8%
- Suspension11.7%
- Brakes9.3%
- Tyres6.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%
- Body, chassis and structure4.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 3.56%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.38%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.79%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Registration plate lamp not working 2.77%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.64%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.07%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.76%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.02%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.64%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.2%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (6.82%) · Brake pads wearing thin (3.79%)
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 2012 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2012 Volkswagen Polos fail 35.3% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 24 Polo years (129,511 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often shock absorber serious fluid leak (3.56% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (3.38% of tests), position lamp not working (2.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Volkswagen Polo shows 71,691 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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