Volkswagen Polo (2016)
2016 Volkswagen Polo
CarHunch analysed 52,676 real MOT records for the 2016 Volkswagen Polo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Volkswagen Polo passes its MOT more reliably than the UK average—85.5% first-time pass rate versus 80%—though nearly 29% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful concern for buyers. Petrol versions are notably more robust than diesels, with an 85.8% pass rate compared to 80.3%, suggesting you should favour a petrol if reliability matters to you.
At nearly 40,000 miles median for an eight-year-old car, these Polos show average wear for their age. The typical vehicle racks up 1.3 failures and 8.6 advisories per test, pointing to minor electrical and suspension issues rather than catastrophic failures—so budget for steady maintenance rather than major repairs. Check the service history carefully and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the battery, brake fluid condition, and brake pad wear, which tend to be the recurring weak spots in this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 5.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 28.9% 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (96%) | 50,425 | 85.8% | 1.28 |
| Diesel (4%) | 2,242 | 80.3% | 1.74 |
| Other (0%) | 6 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Volkswagen Polo vehicles fall between 28,393 and 51,558 miles.
2016 Volkswagen Polo — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 50,000 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Volkswagen Polo
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
42%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
41.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
27.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
25.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
22.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
19%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
17.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
12.2%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.