Car statistics
How many Volkswagen Polos are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 631,418 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 663,686 Volkswagen Polos licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 49,229 declared off the road (SORN). That is 0.2% fewer than the peak of 665,349 in 2024.
Numbers peaked in 2024 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 320,299 |
| 1995 | 323,707 |
| 1996 | 357,535 |
| 1997 | 394,200 |
| 1998 | 419,577 |
| 1999 | 443,486 |
| 2000 | 462,552 |
| 2001 | 474,610 |
| 2002 | 481,441 |
| 2003 | 491,420 |
| 2004 | 506,946 |
| 2005 | 519,180 |
| 2006 | 524,545 |
| 2007 | 533,687 |
| 2008 | 542,258 |
| 2009 | 534,533 |
| 2010 | 547,957 |
| 2011 | 561,347 |
| 2012 | 572,423 |
| 2013 | 582,473 |
| 2014 | 590,597 |
| 2015 | 611,047 |
| 2016 | 635,113 |
| 2017 | 646,599 |
| 2018 | 657,194 |
| 2019 | 661,600 |
| 2020 | 656,569 |
| 2021 | 660,010 |
| 2022 | 660,831 |
| 2023 | 661,558 |
| 2024 | 665,349 |
| 2025 | 664,288 |
| 2026 | 663,686 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
7 versions of the Volkswagen Polo have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Polo CL Coupe | 156 | 688 |
| Volkswagen Polo Genesis Coupe | 70 | 268 |
| Volkswagen Polo G40 Coupe | 43 | 213 |
| Volkswagen Polo S Coupe | 41 | 213 |
| Volkswagen Polo Boulevard Coupe | 56 | 167 |
| Volkswagen Polo GT Coupe | 39 | 178 |
| Volkswagen Polo Genesis | 51 | 122 |
In 2025, 67.4% of Volkswagen Polo MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Volkswagen Polos tested pass 71.2% of the time, so the Volkswagen Polo does worse than average for its age, by 3.8 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 67.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Volkswagen Polo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 91.6% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 87.4% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 76.5% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 74.1% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 62.2% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 52.7% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 49.6% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Volkswagen Polo fails its MOT, appearing on 38.7% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.9% of Volkswagen Polo tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 38.7% |
| Suspension | 34.4% |
| Brakes | 24.8% |
| Tyres | 18.7% |
| Visibility | 15.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.0% |
| Steering | 10.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Volkswagen Polo failed its MOT in 2025 was “Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn”, on 9.2% of 205,741 failed tests. 53.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 9.2% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.6% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.3% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.0% |
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 6.6% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 6.2% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 6.2% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.1% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.7% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 5.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 18.4% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 11.4% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 9.1% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 8.4% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 6.0% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 4.9% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 4.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.4% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 3.4% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 3.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
24 years of the Volkswagen Polo, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2022 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (91.6% passed first time) and the 2003 cars worst (48.1%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | – | 2,629 | 60.2% |
| 2000 | – | 5,112 | 54.0% |
| 2001 | – | 6,181 | 55.1% |
| 2002 | – | 7,055 | 49.0% |
| 2003 | – | 10,681 | 48.1% |
| 2004 | – | 12,456 | 47.9% |
| 2005 | – | 14,316 | 47.2% |
| 2006 | – | 18,139 | 48.4% |
| 2007 | – | 21,318 | 51.5% |
| 2008 | – | 23,569 | 51.3% |
| 2009 | – | 22,026 | 53.2% |
| 2010 | – | 35,846 | 56.2% |
| 2011 | – | 37,698 | 57.6% |
| 2012 | – | 36,229 | 60.7% |
| 2013 | – | 37,814 | 62.5% |
| 2014 | 45,902 | 44,054 | 66.7% |
| 2015 | 53,513 | 51,439 | 71.8% |
| 2016 | 52,860 | 51,632 | 74.4% |
| 2017 | 45,894 | 45,532 | 76.4% |
| 2018 | 43,750 | 43,293 | 74.9% |
| 2019 | 35,969 | 35,916 | 78.7% |
| 2020 | 26,334 | 26,050 | 86.4% |
| 2021 | 30,202 | 29,589 | 88.0% |
| 2022 | 23,171 | 22,347 | 91.6% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Volkswagen Polo covers 6,054 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 6,974 |
| 6–7 years | 7,003 |
| 8–10 years | 6,392 |
| 11–14 years | 5,913 |
| 15–19 years | 5,313 |
| 20+ years | 4,367 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Volkswagen Polos for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 53,340 in 2015. In 2025, 25,933 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 43,827 |
| ’02 | 39,451 |
| ’03 | 47,610 |
| ’04 | 42,577 |
| ’05 | 39,728 |
| ’06 | 37,213 |
| ’07 | 35,664 |
| ’08 | 34,854 |
| ’09 | 29,279 |
| ’10 | 44,167 |
| ’11 | 44,806 |
| ’12 | 40,792 |
| ’13 | 40,729 |
| ’14 | 46,158 |
| ’15 | 53,340 |
| ’16 | 53,194 |
| ’17 | 46,798 |
| ’18 | 44,050 |
| ’19 | 36,697 |
| ’20 | 26,400 |
| ’21 | 30,221 |
| ’22 | 23,288 |
| ’23 | 25,557 |
| ’24 | 29,648 |
| ’25 | 25,933 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 685,298 Volkswagen Polos licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 41.4% have an engine of 901cc to 1,000cc, and 35.9% have an engine of 1,101cc to 1,200cc. The share with an engine of 901cc to 1,000cc has grown from 4.6% in 2014 to 41.4%. Petrols made up 86.4% of those licensed in 2014 and 93.6% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 901cc to 1,000cc 283,499 licensed | 41.4% |
| 1,101cc to 1,200cc 245,899 licensed | 35.9% |
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 88,730 licensed | 12.9% |
| 1,401cc to 1,500cc 34,900 licensed | 5.1% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 6,392 licensed | 0.9% |
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 2,529 licensed | 0.4% |
| Other sizes 23,349 licensed | 3.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 901–1,000cc | Petrol | 283,498 | 41.4% |
| 1,101–1,200cc | Petrol | 232,715 | 34.0% |
| 1,301–1,400cc | Petrol | 88,712 | 12.9% |
| 1,401–1,500cc | Diesel | 21,770 | 3.2% |
| 1,101–1,200cc | Diesel | 13,171 | 1.9% |
| 1,401–1,500cc | Petrol | 13,122 | 1.9% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 12,021 | 1.8% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 901–1,000cc | 1,101–1,200cc | 1,301–1,400cc | 1,401–1,500cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4.6% | 45.7% | 28.6% | 11.8% |
| 2015 | 7.2% | 47.3% | 25.9% | 11.6% |
| 2016 | 9.3% | 48.9% | 23.4% | 11.0% |
| 2017 | 10.9% | 50.6% | 21.4% | 10.3% |
| 2018 | 16.7% | 48.2% | 19.6% | 9.5% |
| 2019 | 21.1% | 46.0% | 18.2% | 8.8% |
| 2020 | 24.5% | 44.5% | 17.1% | 8.2% |
| 2021 | 28.5% | 42.7% | 16.1% | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 31.5% | 41.2% | 15.3% | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 34.5% | 39.6% | 14.5% | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 38.2% | 37.6% | 13.7% | 5.7% |
| 2025 | 41.4% | 35.9% | 12.9% | 5.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 86.4% | 13.6% |
| 2015 | 86.7% | 13.3% |
| 2016 | 87.3% | 12.7% |
| 2017 | 88.1% | 11.9% |
| 2018 | 88.9% | 11.0% |
| 2019 | 89.7% | 10.3% |
| 2020 | 90.3% | 9.7% |
| 2021 | 91.0% | 9.0% |
| 2022 | 91.6% | 8.4% |
| 2023 | 92.3% | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 93.0% | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 93.6% | 6.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Volkswagen Polo from 2000, when the data begins, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2025 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 41.5 to 55.4 mpg, with CO2 of 116 to 155 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 32.5 to 91.1 mpg, with CO2 of 82 to 209 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 petrol | 41.5–55.4 | 116–155 | 2025–2026 | Euro 6 | 12 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 47.1–68.9 | 94–144 | 2000–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6b | 33 |
| 1.2 petrol | 44.8–60.1 | 107–151 | 2002–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 51 |
| 1.4 petrol | 36.2–61.4 | 107–187 | 2000–2018 | Euro 2 to Euro 6 | 78 |
| 1.6 petrol | 32.5–42.2 | 159–209 | 2000–2009 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 18 |
| 1.8 petrol | 35.8–50.4 | 129–190 | 2006–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 8 |
| 2.0 petrol | 47.9 | 134 | 2018 | Euro 6b | 2 |
| 1.2 diesel | 72.4–83.1 | 89–102 | 2010–2015 | Euro 5 | 8 |
| 1.4 diesel | 56.5–91.1 | 82–135 | 2000–2018 | Euro 3 to Euro 6 | 31 |
| 1.6 diesel | 65.7–76.3 | 97–112 | 2010–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6b | 9 |
| 1.9 diesel | 52.3–58.9 | 127–146 | 2000–2009 | Euro 3 to Euro 4 | 36 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 24 safety recalls for the Volkswagen Polo since 1992, the first in 1993. The most recent was launched on 28 August 2025.
All 24 Volkswagen Polo recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Volkswagen Polo. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Polo | 663,686 | −0.3% | 49,229 | 6 | Petrol |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,249,904 | −5.2% | 111,058 | 1 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 902,410 | −3.2% | 97,804 | 2 | Petrol |
| Toyota Yaris | 575,454 | +3.1% | 26,019 | 7 | Petrol |
| MINI Cooper | 509,006 | +1.1% | 39,172 | 9 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 712,915 Polo records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 631,418 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
