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

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Yaris is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 6.8 percentage points more often than the Volkswagen Polo once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 115,896 real tests, not a survey.

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.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Toyota Yaris	79.5%	75.7%	+3.8	49,396
Volkswagen Polo	72.7%	75.8%	-3	66,500

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

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

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).
Brake squeak (regen)minor
Squeak at low speeds, fades with speed
All hybrids · Cosmetic
Check: Common, not a fault.
Touch 2 infotainment lagminor
Slow CarPlay response
2020–2022 · No fix — software limitation
Check: Use 10+ minutes during test drive to assess if liveable.

Typical asking price:: £14,000–£22,000 (2020–2024)
Real-world economy:: 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Full Yaris fault guide Used Toyotas

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. The main concern on Mk6 Polos is the timing chain on early 1.0 TSI engines (pre-2019), which can stretch if oil changes are delayed. The 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic has judder issues in urban use above 30,000 miles. Avoid the 1.6 TDI diesel for city use (DPF). A well-maintained 2019+ Polo 1.0 TSI manual is one of the safest sub-£20,000 used superminis on the UK market.

What goes wrong

1.0 TSI timing chain stretch (early production)critical
Chain rattle on cold start; engine warning light (timing-related codes); rough running; in severe cases, engine failure
2017–2018 (1.0 TSI 95 and 115 PS) · From 35,000 miles if oil changes were delayed; can appear earlier with incorrect oil specification · £600–£1,500 timing chain kit; up to £4,000+ if engine damage has occurred
Check: Listen for chain rattle on cold start (first 10 seconds). Check the oil change history — the 1.0 TSI requires oil changes every 9,300 miles or 12 months maximum (not 20,000 miles longlife intervals). Longlife oil change intervals are a major risk factor. Ask if the chain has been replaced or inspected. On 2017–2018 cars specifically, ask for proof of oil change compliance.
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; earlier if no DSG service has been carried out · £400–£700 DSG fluid and filter service + software recalibration; £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.
Infotainment MIB2 system freeze and Bluetooth issuesminor
Touchscreen freezes or goes blank; Bluetooth disconnects; screen reboot on startup
2017–2020 (MIB2 infotainment) · Not mileage-related — software issue · £0 — VW dealer software update resolves most issues; hardware replacement rare (£300–£600 if required)
Check: Test the touchscreen and Bluetooth during the test drive. MIB2 system freezes are resolved by a free dealer software update in most cases. Ask if the infotainment system has had the latest VW software applied.
AdBlue system faults (1.6 TDI diesel)minor
AdBlue warning light; countdown to engine start lockout; "Top up AdBlue" warnings
2017–2021 (1.6 TDI) · Every 9,300–10,000 miles (consumable — not a fault) · £15–£25 for 5L AdBlue top-up; £200–£600 if NOx sensor or SCR catalyst fails
Check: Check the AdBlue level if buying a TDI variant. AdBlue is a consumable — low warning is normal. However, NOx sensor failures are more common on higher-mileage TDI Polos. Check whether the engine management light is on.

Typical asking price:: Mk6 2017–2019: £6,000–£11,000 | Mk6 2020–2022: £9,000–£16,000
Real-world 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. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2019, 2020, 2021
Years to avoid:: 2017, 2018

Full Polo fault guide Used Volkswagens

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 verify oil change compliance and chain condition. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Toyota Yaris or the Volkswagen Polo?

The Toyota Yaris. It passes its first MOT 6.8 percentage points more often than the Volkswagen Polo once both are age-adjusted, across 115,896 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Yaris?

79.5% of Toyota Yariss pass their MOT first time, from 49,396 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 75.7% — so it runs 3.8 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Polo?

72.7% of Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT first time, from 66,500 tests. Against the 75.8% that cars of its age average, it runs 3 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the 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. For the Volkswagen Polo, 2017–2018 launch cars had the highest incidence of 1.0 TSI timing chain stretch complaints — particularly where oil change intervals were extended or low-quality oil was used. DSG judder on early automatics was also more pronounced before software calibration updates.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Toyota Yaris returns 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class in real UK driving; the Volkswagen Polo returns 44–51 mpg (1.0 TSI real-world UK mixed); 57–67 mpg (1.6 TDI real-world). Vehicle tax: Yaris — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Polo — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, 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.

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: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.