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Volkswagen POLO - 1997

371.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen POLO, model year 1997. Sample size: 382 cars, 764 tests and 2,841 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 382 cars

The 1997 Volkswagen Polo has an overall defect rate of 372 per 100 vehicles, which is 11% higher than the average car from the same year. Notably, the Polo shows significantly fewer issues with steering, performing better than average in this category. However, it struggles in areas such as wheels, suspensions, and axles, as well as equipment, where its defect rates exceed the average by over 29%. Mileage-related trends indicate that defect rates increase with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000-mile range. Overall, while it excels in steering, the Polo has several weaknesses that may require attention, especially as it ages.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 382 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
▼ 0.2% worse
141.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 69.3% better
8.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▼ 9.1% worse
27.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 5.6% better
61.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 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
  • 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 battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 28.6% worse
322.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
Body/Structure
▲ 10.4% better
75.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 22.2% worse
27.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 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
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▼ 30.0% worse
79.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
  • 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 test unable to be completed
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 580 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: 196
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 195
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 156
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 145
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 138
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 124
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 121
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 111
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 85
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 74

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 61
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 43
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: 38
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 26
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 20