2016 Volkswagen Polo · 173,034 MOT tests
2016 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2016 Volkswagen Polos fail 21.6% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 24 Polo years (173,034 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 21.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- 46,256
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 7
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 173,034
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2016 against the years either side
- 2015 cars: 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2016 car does worse)
- 2017 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2016 car does better)
- Weak spot: brakes, 6.2% of tests fail here (65% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: lights and electrics, 23% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2016 car carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
Common problems
What fails on a 2016 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Brakes6.2%
- Suspension5.7%
- Tyres5.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
- Lights and electrics4.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%
- Body, chassis and structure1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.94%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.41%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.78%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.5%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Windscreen washers not working 1.18%
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.94%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.05%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.82%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.15%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.06%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.91%) · Brake discs showing some wear (2.97%)
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 2016 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2016 Volkswagen Polos fail 21.6% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 24 Polo years (173,034 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2016 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.94% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.41% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2016 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 7, a typical 2016 Volkswagen Polo shows 46,256 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2016 car?
A car first registered in 2016 carries a 65 plate (January–February 2016), or a 16 plate (March–August 2016), or a 66 plate (September–December 2016).
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