Volkswagen Polo (2002)
2002 Volkswagen Polo
CarHunch analysed 40,823 real MOT records for the 2002 Volkswagen Polo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Volkswagen Polo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.3%, which is 10.7 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that signals age-related wear is catching up. More concerning is that 41.4% of these cars have had a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds, making pre-purchase inspection and known issue awareness essential.
At a median mileage of 64,689 miles for a 22-year-old car, these Polos are reasonably well-preserved, but they're averaging 6.04 failures and 24.1 advisories per test, pointing to cumulative deterioration in brakes, suspension, and emissions systems as the main culprits. If you're considering one, budget for immediate remedial work post-purchase and prioritise a comprehensive independent inspection focusing on safety-critical components.
What to check before buying a 2002 Volkswagen Polo
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 41.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Polo
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (86%) | 35,050 | 69.4% | 6.02 |
| Diesel (14%) | 5,727 | 68.7% | 6.24 |
| Other (0%) | 37 | 76.8% | 1.03 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 70.6% | 6 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 86.1% | 0.67 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 64.6% | 7.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Volkswagen Polo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2002 Volkswagen Polo vehicles fall between 50,331 and 79,512 miles.
2002 Volkswagen Polo — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 4,722 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Volkswagen Polo
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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87.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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86.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.5%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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39%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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37.7%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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35.5%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Polo?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.