2018 Volkswagen Polo · 151,188 MOT tests
2018 Volkswagen Polo reliability
2018 Volkswagen Polos fail 18.8% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 24 Polo years (151,188 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- 18.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Polos: 32.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 33% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- 32,726
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 151,188
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does worse)
- 2019 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.6% of tests fail here (2718% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 37% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 Volkswagen Polo
Fail rate by area
- Steering8.6%
- Tyres3.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%
- Lights and electrics2.9%
- Brakes2%
- Suspension1%
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Track rod end dust cover damaged 5.87%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the ball joint, which speeds up wear and may lead to a costly replacement.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.49%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Track rod end dust cover insecure 1.15%
A loose or missing dust cover lets dirt into the joint, so it wears faster and may need replacing sooner.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.12%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Windscreen washers not working 1.1%
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.98%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.24%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.29%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.03%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (4.12%) · Brake discs showing some wear (2.57%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (1.69%)
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 2018 Volkswagen Polo reliable?
2018 Volkswagen Polos fail 18.8% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 24 Polo years (151,188 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 Volkswagen Polo MOT?
Most often track rod end dust cover damaged (5.87% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.49% of tests), track rod end dust cover insecure (1.15% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 Volkswagen Polo have done?
At its MOT aged about 5, a typical 2018 Volkswagen Polo shows 32,726 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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