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Volkswagen POLO - 1988

365.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1988 is 253.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen POLO, model year 1988. Sample size: 118 cars, 217 tests and 792 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 118 cars

The 1988 Volkswagen Polo has a significantly higher overall defect rate of 365 defects per 100 vehicles, compared to the average of 249 defects for cars of the same year, indicating a relative increase of 47%. Notably, this model performs better than average in the equipment category but shows considerable weaknesses in brakes, visibility, and wheels, with defects in these areas exceeding the average car by substantial margins. Mileage trends reveal that defect rates increase as mileage rises, particularly after 93,000 miles, where the Polo's defects are notably high. Overall, while this model excels in some aspects, it generally faces a higher incidence of defects compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 118 cars

More model years for Volkswagen POLO

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 39.4% worse
132.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 95.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 11.1% better
24.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.0 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’): is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▼ 80.8% worse
38.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.4 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • An obstruction: within the driver’s field of view that materially affects his view in front or to the sides outside the swept area of windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 43.4% worse
92.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.3 / 100 tests
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 58.4% worse
255.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 161.2 / 100 tests
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▼ 68.4% worse
107.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.0 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Equipment
▲ 35.1% better
12.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
  • Audible warning:
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt:
Other
▼ 22.3% worse
66.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.3 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Engine is idling clearly above its normal idle speed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 583 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 53
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 42
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 27
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 25
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 21

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 8