81.3%
pass rate across 182,472 tests
77.4% first-time pass rate
59,917 mi median at test
Volkswagen Polo 2015 vs 2018
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 334,367 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
83.3%
pass rate across 151,895 tests
80.2% first-time pass rate
39,291 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Polo passes more — but most of it is age
Across 334,367 tests, the 2018 Polo passes 83.3% of MOTs and the 2015 81.3%. The 2018 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 39,291 miles against 59,917, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is −4.6 points and the 2015 −0.8 — a like-for-like gap of −3.8 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £36–£102 on the 2015 and £23–£56 on the 2018. The older year is the more expensive of the two when it fails. Repairs under £30 account for 31% of the 2015's recorded faults and 10% of the 2018's. The most common failing part is suspension component on the 2015 and ball joint on the 2018.
- Pass rate: 81.3% vs 83.3%
- Tests: 182,472 vs 151,895
- Like-for-like: −0.8 vs −4.6 pts
- Median mileage: 59,917 vs 39,291 mi
- Typical repair: £36–£102 vs £23–£56
- Cheap fixes: 31% vs 10%
| Measure | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 182,472 | 151,895 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 81.3% | 83.3% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 77.4% | 80.2% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | −0.8 pts stronger figure | −4.6 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | −0.8 pts stronger figure | −4.6 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 61,908 mi | 41,532 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 59,917 mi | 39,291 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £36–£102 | £23–£56 stronger figure |
| Repairs under £30 | 31% stronger figure | 10% |
| Most common failing part | Suspension Component | Ball Joint |
| Variants recorded | 1 | 1 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 92% | Petrol 99% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2015 Polo
- Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn 3.4% £40–£150
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 2.2% £80–£200
- Service brake performance excessively binding 1.5% £60–£150
- Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements 1.5% £45–£110
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 1.4% £5–£20
2018 Polo
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt 10.2% £18–£45
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of… 8.1% £18–£45
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 1.6% £18–£45
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.6% £80–£200
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.1% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 90.2% · 18,559 tests | 87.2% · 45,008 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 83.6% · 72,933 tests | 82.4% · 83,190 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 78.6% · 66,056 tests | 79.2% · 20,918 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 75.6% · 20,525 tests | 76.9% · 2,412 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 74.0% · 4,376 tests | 79.8% · 351 tests |
What to check before you buy
2015 Volkswagen Polo
- Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn — 3.4% of tests · £40–£150
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 2.2% of tests · £80–£200
- Service brake performance excessively binding — 1.5% of tests · £60–£150
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Volkswagen Polo
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt — 10.2% of tests · £18–£45
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of… — 8.1% of tests · £18–£45
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt — 1.6% of tests · £18–£45
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Volkswagen Polo? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Volkswagen Polo →
Or put the Polo against another model: Compare the Volkswagen Polo side by side →