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Toyota Yaris vs Volkswagen Polo: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Yaris does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 6.8 percentage points ahead of the Volkswagen Polo on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 115,896 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

Quick answer

On the MOT measure the Toyota Yaris comes out 6.8 percentage points further above the national rate for cars of its age than the Volkswagen Polo.

  • Value depends on what you count. The Yaris Hybrid is the one to look at if fuel and running costs lead your list: Toyota’s official figure for the 1.5 Hybrid is 58 to 69 mpg.
  • The Polo is the one to look at if you want Golf-level interior quality in a smaller package and strong resale: it is the fifth most traded used car in the UK, so buyers know it.
  • Road tax is covered in the running-cost answer below, and neither car has a single insurance group for the whole model, so price the exact car.
Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo side by side
At a glanceYarisPolo
First-time MOT pass rateagainst the national rate for cars of the same age79.5%+3.8 points72.7%-3.0 points
Cars licensed in the UKend of June 2026, all generations (DfT/DVLA)589,579685,291
Typical asking price on Autozamiddle 80% and median£11,999–£28,990, median £15,499Toyota Yaris cars registered from 2020; 29 October 2026£7,299–£14,995, median £11,199Volkswagen Polo cars registered from 2017; 29 October 2026
Best yearsfrom our model guides2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 20242020, 2021

Cars licensed for the road in the UK at the end of June 2026, every generation, counting cars taxed or exempt and not those declared off the road (SORN). The MOT is one measure: it checks safety and emissions items and not the engine, clutch or gearbox. Asking prices are dealers’ asking prices, not sale prices.

Where the Yaris stands out

  • Hybrid running costs: 58 to 69 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet, as quoted in our guide).
  • Built for town driving and first-time buyers; our guide rates it for the lowest running costs.
  • Best years in our guide: every year from 2020 to 2024.

Where the Polo stands out

  • Golf-level interior quality in a smaller package.
  • Holds its value well on the UK market, according to our guide, and it is the fifth most traded used car (SMMT).
  • More Polos than Yaris on the road, so more to choose from; the 1.0 TSI is the engine our guide points to.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Toyota Yaris
Pass rate79.5%
Age-matched national75.7%
Difference+3.8
Tests49,396
Volkswagen Polo
Pass rate72.7%
Age-matched national75.8%
Difference-3.0
Tests66,500

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Toyota Yaris registered 2000–2022 and Volkswagen Polos registered 2000–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

Toyota Yaris

XP210, 2020+ · supermini hybrid hatch

The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2022/055recall
    The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly
    42,554 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 6 July 2020 and 21 June 2021
    Large recall — 42,554 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Safety recall R/2023/279recall
    On affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable.
    27,327 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 30 June 2021 and 28 July 2023
    Large recall — 27,327 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • AC compressor (early-batch)moderate
    AC blows warm; clicking from compressor
    Early 2020 production · £650–£950 compressor + regas
    Check: Test AC during inspection — should be cold within 1 minute on a warm day.
  • 12V auxiliary battery (unused cars)minor
    Hybrid system won't wake; "READY" not appearing
    All XP210 · Battery age 4–5 years · £220–£350
    Check: Toyota battery health check at dealer (£20–£30).
Typical asking price:
£11,999–£28,990, median £15,499 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
58–69 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet).
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Used Toyota Yaris for saleFull Yaris fault guideUsed Toyotas

Also compare:

Volkswagen Polo

Mk6 AW (2017–present) · B-segment supermini. Consistently one of the top 5 best-selling used cars in the UK. The Mk6 Polo brought Golf-like interior quality to the supermini segment. Available with 1.0 MPI (naturally aspirated), 1.0 TSI (turbocharged), and 1.6 TDI diesel engines.

The VW Polo Mk6 is a premium-feeling supermini with solid reliability when maintained. The 1.0 TSI petrol is the engine to choose — reliable, tax-friendly, and economical. Its 1.0 engines drive the camshafts by a toothed belt, not a chain, so check the belt record on older cars. Owners report judder from the 7-speed DSG in urban use above 30,000 miles, and the 1.6 TDI diesel suits motorway rather than city use (DPF).

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2018/142recall
    The left rear seat belt double buckle may unfasten involuntarily
    45,714 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 1 May 2017 and 12 October 2018
    Large recall — 45,714 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Safety recall R/2019/037recall
    The adjusted handbrake lever travel for parking the vehicle can increase
    44,256 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 12 October 2017 and 22 October 2018
    Large recall — 44,256 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • 1.0 TSI and 1.0 MPI timing beltmajor
    No warning before a belt fails; a failed belt can cause serious engine damage
    All Mk6 1.0 petrol engines — the camshafts are driven by a toothed belt, not a chain · £350–£600 belt and tensioner replacement at an independent specialist; up to £4,000+ if a failed belt has damaged the engine
    Check: Check the service history for the cambelt inspection or change at the interval Volkswagen's schedule sets for the engine code; no record on an older, higher-mileage car means budgeting for it now. Volkswagen UK offers fixed servicing at 9,300 miles or 12 months as well as longer flexible intervals, and a regular oil-change record is a good sign on any turbo engine.
  • 7-speed DSG dual-clutch juddermajor
    Shudder when moving off from standstill; jerkiness at low speed in traffic; clutch grab in 1st gear
    2017–2022 (7-speed DQ200 DSG automatic) · Above 30,000 miles in urban use · £400–£700 for software recalibration and a voluntary mechatronic oil service (VW schedules no oil service on the DQ200); £1,500–£3,000 if mechatronic unit or clutch pack needs replacement
    Check: Test the DSG at walking pace in slow traffic and pulling away from a standstill on an uphill. Any shudder is the known DQ200 judder — very common on Polo, Golf, and other VAG models with this gearbox. VW schedules no oil service for the dry-clutch DQ200, so absent DSG fluid records are normal rather than a red flag; a voluntary mechatronic oil service (some specialists suggest around 60,000 miles) can ease mild judder. Severe judder at low mileage without service history is a red flag.
Typical asking price:
£7,299–£14,995, median £11,199 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
44–51 mpg (1.0 TSI real-world UK mixed); 57–67 mpg (1.6 TDI real-world)
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:
2020, 2021
Years to avoid:
2017, 2018
Used Volkswagen Polos for saleFull Polo fault guideUsed Volkswagens

Also compare:

Which one suits you

Toyota Yaris

Good for: Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.

Less good for: Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.

Volkswagen Polo

Good for: Buyers who want Golf-level interior quality in a smaller package. Urban commuters who primarily use the car in town (1.0 TSI manual is ideal for this). Buyers who want strong resale value — VW Polos hold value well on the UK market.

Less good for: Buyers doing heavy city driving with the DSG automatic without a DSG service budget. 2017–2018 1.0 TSI buyers who cannot see a cambelt inspection or change in the history. City-only drivers considering the 1.6 TDI — DPF issues are near-certain. Buyers who want the most reliable possible supermini should consider the Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

Is a Yaris better value than a Polo?

It depends on how you count value. Count the price you pay today and the "typical asking price" rows above and in the cards give both models’ ranges for the cars on Autoza. Count running costs and the Yaris Hybrid’s official 58 to 69 mpg is the figure to set against the Polo’s 44 to 51 mpg (1.0 TSI) in our guides. Count what the car is worth when you sell and the Polo’s reputation for holding its value, noted in our guide, is its case.

Road tax is in the running-cost answer below, worked out for the years each car was registered. Insurance is the cost most searches ask about and the one we cannot generalise. Insurance groups run from 1 to 50 and are set by an Association of British Insurers group rating panel using Thatcham Research data; they reflect the version and its price as well as the model, so we give no single group for a whole model. Get quotes for the exact car.

The MOT figures above are a separate question: the Yaris comes out further above the national rate for cars of its age than the Polo does, and the Polo’s own figure is shown beside it. The MOT checks safety and emissions items and not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so it is one measure rather than a verdict.

Sources for the figures in this section

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Toyota Yaris or the Volkswagen Polo?
On the MOT measure, the Toyota Yaris: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 6.8 percentage points ahead of the Volkswagen Polo on first-time MOT passes, across 115,896 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.
How do the MOT pass rates of the Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo compare?
79.5% of Toyota Yaris pass their MOT first time (49,396 tests in DVSA's records) and 72.7% of Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT first time (66,500 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Toyota Yaris's age average 75.7% and cars of the Volkswagen Polo's age 75.8% — so the Toyota Yaris runs 3.8 points better than its age group and the Volkswagen Polo runs 3.0 points worse than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Which years of the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo should I avoid?
Toyota Yaris: No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid. Volkswagen Polo: 2017–2018 launch cars are the oldest Mk6s on sale, and early automatics carry the most owner reports of DSG judder before the software calibration updates. On an older, higher-mileage car, check when the cambelt was last inspected or changed.
Is the Toyota Yaris or the Volkswagen Polo cheaper to run?
On fuel it depends on the engine. Toyota Yaris: 58–69 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet). Volkswagen Polo: 44–51 mpg (1.0 TSI real-world UK mixed); 57–67 mpg (1.6 TDI real-world). WLTP figures are official lab results; your own driving can return a different figure. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Toyota Yaris or Volkswagen Polo registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.
Is a Toyota Yaris better value than a VW Polo?
It depends on what you count. The Yaris Hybrid’s official fuel figure (58 to 69 mpg WLTP for the 1.5 Hybrid, Toyota UK) is better than the Polo’s real-world 44 to 51 mpg for the 1.0 TSI in our guides, which favours the Yaris on running costs. The Polo is the more common used car (fifth most traded in Q2 2026, SMMT) and our guide says it holds its value well, which favours it when you sell. Compare the asking prices of the actual cars and get insurance quotes for them: Insurance groups run from 1 to 50 and are set by an Association of British Insurers group rating panel using Thatcham Research data; they reflect the version and its price as well as the model, so we give no single group for a whole model. Get quotes for the exact car.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.