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B49 TEL

1996 Volkswagen Polo

Green Petrol 1391cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Feb 2027
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

126,918 mi
Last recorded126,918 miles
Recorded on27 Jan 2026
Typical for 1996 Volkswagen Polo83,865 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB49 TEL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelPolo
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,391cc
View full Volkswagen Polo reliability data Browse other 1996 Volkswagen Polo registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

21 pass 9 fail
Pass 27 Jan 2026 126,918 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear brake pies (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive rear axle beam (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jan 2025 125,377 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 3 Feb 2024 124,194 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamp join (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipe to compensator (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear axle beam service corrossion

Fail 30 Jan 2024 124,192 miles

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength seal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases clamp join (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipe to compensator (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear axle beam service corrossion

Pass 31 Jan 2023 122,617 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer Sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 25 Jan 2022 120,859 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Across Chassis (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 25 Jan 2021 119,302 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 28 Jan 2020 117,761 miles

Nearside Front slight movement top suspension mount

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slight corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jan 2019 115,704 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

both front tyres wearing close to tread wear indicators

rear brakes out of balance

Fail 15 Jan 2019 115,702 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected floorpan (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

both front tyres wearing close to tread wear indicators

rear brakes out of balance

Pass 23 Jan 2018 113,526 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 31 Jan 2017 111,192 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 31 Jan 2017 111,189 miles

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded floor pan (5.2.6)

Brake pipe slightly corroded rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 21 Jan 2016 108,267 miles

Centre Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak gearbox

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 21 Jan 2016 108,265 miles

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working with ignition off (1.1.A.3b)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak gearbox

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 27 Jan 2015 105,928 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 28 Jan 2014 104,017 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part (3.6.B.4a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 28 Jan 2014 104,017 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 29 Jan 2013 101,552 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Fail 29 Jan 2013 101,551 miles

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 24 Jan 2012 98,643 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2012 98,641 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Feb 2011 95,468 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

clutc slipping

Pass 21 Jan 2010 90,699 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 27 Jan 2009 86,903 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2008 82,740 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 24 Jan 2008 82,740 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2007 78,257 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 16 Jan 2007 78,257 miles
Pass 26 Jan 2006 73,124 miles

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Polo?

Based on 14,598,296 MOT tests across 1,156,928 vehicles.

72.9%
Pass Rate
5,193
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
1,156,928
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 467,706
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 196,870
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 190,697
Stop lamp not working 181,097
position lamp(s) not working 168,944
Full Volkswagen Polo reliability report

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B49 TEL is a 1996 Volkswagen Polo in Green with a 1,391cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

Across all 1996 Volkswagen Polo models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.5% with a typical mileage of 83,865 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Polo fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 467,706 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B49 TEL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Polo typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 30 years old, this Volkswagen Polo is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B49 TEL?

You can check the full history of B49 TEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B49 TEL registered?

B49 TEL is a 1996 Volkswagen Polo, first registered on 6 February 1996.

Is B49 TEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for B49 TEL shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B49 TEL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on B49 TEL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.