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Volkswagen POLO - 1989

361.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1989 is 252.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen POLO, model year 1989. Sample size: 175 cars, 367 tests and 1,327 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 175 cars

The 1989 Volkswagen Polo has a significantly higher overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 362 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 45% higher than the average of 249 defects. This model shows particular weaknesses in categories such as brakes, where it nearly 63% exceeds the average defect rate, as well as in wheels, suspensions, and axles, which is more than 63% higher than average. However, it performs better than average in steering, with a defect rate that is 36% lower. Notably, as mileage increases, the defect rate for this model remains high across all mileage segments, especially for those with low mileage.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 175 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
▼ 62.2% worse
157.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 97.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 37.5% better
16.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.1 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▼ 6.4% worse
23.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.0 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▼ 30.5% worse
80.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.4 / 100 tests
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 62.3% worse
268.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 165.6 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
Body/Structure
▼ 48.5% worse
91.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.7 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 14.6% better
15.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • 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
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A statutory seat belt missing
Other
▼ 31.5% worse
69.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.1 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • 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
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 600 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)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 107
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 89
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 67
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 62
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 60
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 45
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 43
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 35
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 33

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 26
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 10