Which model group has the lower recorded MOT failure rate: Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo?

Across 8,715,991 recorded MOT tests, the Volkswagen Polo group has a 1.0 percentage point lower historical failure rate. The Ford Fiesta group rate is 31.9% and the Volkswagen Polo group rate is 30.9%. These population statistics do not predict an individual vehicle's result.

What are the main MOT differences between Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo?

The Ford Fiesta has a 31.9% overall MOT failure rate (6,046,098 tests) while the Volkswagen Polo has 30.9% (2,669,893 tests). The highest complete component category for the Ford Fiesta is lamps & electrics, while for the Volkswagen Polo it is lamps & electrics.

Should I buy a Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo?

This aggregate MOT comparison is not a buying recommendation. It describes recorded model-group outcomes, not the condition or likely result of a particular vehicle. Check the specific vehicle's MOT history and condition before deciding.

Ford Fiesta vs Volkswagen Polo — MOT Failure Rate Comparison

Ford Fiesta

31.9%

failure rate from 6,046,098 tests

5.0pp above the dataset reference (26.9%)

Volkswagen Polo

30.9%

failure rate from 2,669,893 tests

4.0pp above the dataset reference (26.9%)

Recorded-rate result: The Volkswagen Polo model group has a 1.0 percentage point lower historical failure rate than the Ford Fiesta group in this dataset.

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo compare across different age groups:

Age	Ford Fiesta	Volkswagen Polo	Difference
0-2 years	11.5%	9.2%	Volkswagen Polo +2.3pp
3-5 years	15.8%	15.4%	Volkswagen Polo +0.4pp
6-10 years	30.3%	26.9%	Volkswagen Polo +3.3pp
11-15 years	41.7%	41.1%	Volkswagen Polo +0.6pp
15+ years	45.6%	49.8%	Ford Fiesta +4.2pp

Recorded Component Comparison

Side-by-side aggregate rates for MOT tests involving each component category. These are group statistics, not a diagnosis of either vehicle.

Ford Fiesta Component Volkswagen Polo

7.6%

Lamps & Electrics

6.8%

5.8%

Suspension

5.1%

3.6%

Tyres

3.0%

2.8%

Brakes

4.3%

2.4%

Visibility

3.0%

1.6%

Steering

1.3%

1.6%

Body & Chassis

2.7%

Component	Ford Fiesta	Volkswagen Polo	Lower rate
Lamps & Electrics	7.6%	6.8%	Volkswagen Polo
Suspension	5.8%	5.1%	Volkswagen Polo
Tyres	3.6%	3.0%	Volkswagen Polo
Brakes	2.8%	4.3%	Ford Fiesta
Visibility	2.4%	3.0%	Ford Fiesta
Steering	1.6%	1.3%	Volkswagen Polo
Body & Chassis	1.6%	2.7%	Ford Fiesta

Which Has the Lower Recorded Failure Rate?

Based on official DVSA MOT test records covering 8,715,991 tests between these two models, the Volkswagen Polo group has a 1.0 percentage point lower overall failure rate. The Volkswagen Polo group rate is 30.9% compared with 31.9% for the Ford Fiesta group.

The age-band table shows whether that gap is consistent across the available groups. The highest recorded component category is lamps & electrics for the Ford Fiesta group and lamps & electrics for the Volkswagen Polo group. Category rates show historical involvement in failed tests; they do not identify a fault on a particular vehicle.

Explore Each Model in Detail

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component percentages are weighted recorded category rates, not probabilities for an individual vehicle. The checked-in dataset contains 148,509,908 tests and 39,969,903 failures. Vehicle condition and history are not captured by these group comparisons.

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