Used Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2008–17) vs Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2008–2017) and Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Ford Fiesta Mk7 is close on everything else.
- Their boots are much the same size: Ford Fiesta Mk7 290 litres, Volkswagen Polo Mk5 280 litres.
- The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 has the better MOT record for its age: the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average for its age (34% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 32% of all cars that age), while the Ford Fiesta Mk7 fails its MOT 15% more often than average for its age (38% of Ford Fiestas built 2008–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 33% of all cars that age).
- Running costs are close: the diesel versions cost within £23 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the steering on a Ford Fiesta Mk7: it fails on them 1.8 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the steering on a Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Ford Fiesta Mk7Mk7 (2008–2017), 5-door hatchback | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 290 litres / 974 (best) | 280 litres / 952 |
| Length | 3,969mm | 3,970mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,722mm | 1,682mm |
| Height | 1,495mm | 1,462mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–182 PS | 60–192 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 6.9–16.9 sec | 6.7–16.1 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2009) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 68.9–85.6 mpg | 47.1–76.3 mpg |
| CO2 | 85–107 g/km | 97–140 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.4p a litre, today's UK average | – | £992 (58.9 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £887 (76.3 mpg) | £910 (74.3 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £887 (diesel) | £910 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £360 | £20 to £410 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 86Below average | 87Below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 38.0% (33.0%)built 2008–2017 | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 34.3% | 32.9% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 13.2% | 11.8% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.6% (best) | 19.9% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 36.6% | 34.3% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Stop lamp (6.1% of tests) | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.8×), Lights and electrics (1.4×) | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,368,897 | 600,518 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,800 | 6,700 |
| On sale | 2008–2017 | 2009–2017 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Ford Fiesta Mk7 or Volkswagen Polo Mk5 more reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5. Compared with all cars the same age, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average and the Ford Fiesta Mk7 15% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time, and 38.0% of Ford Fiestas built 2008–2017. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
They're almost the same length (3,969mm and 3,970mm). Their boots are much the same: 290 and 280 litres.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
Comparing diesel versions, fuel costs are within £23 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
Euro NCAP gave the Ford Fiesta Mk7 5 stars (2012) and the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Ford Fiesta Mk7 or the Volkswagen Polo Mk5?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Ford Fiesta Mk7 is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.