Used Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17) vs Toyota Yaris Mk3 (2011–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017) and Toyota Yaris Mk3 (2011–2020), 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
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 for more performance, or the Toyota Yaris Mk3 for the better MOT record.
- Their boots are much the same size: Volkswagen Polo Mk5 280 litres, Toyota Yaris Mk3 286 litres.
- The Toyota Yaris Mk3 has the better MOT record for its age: the Toyota Yaris Mk3 fails its MOT 20% less often than average for its age (21% of Toyota Yarises built 2011–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 26% of all cars that age), while 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).
- Watch the steering on a Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 5-door hatchback | Toyota Yaris Mk3Mk3 (2011–2020), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 280 litres / 952 | 286 litres / 768 |
| Length | 3,970mm | 3,945mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,682mm | 1,695mm |
| Height | 1,462mm | 1,510mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–192 PS (best) | 69–111 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.7–16.1 sec (best) | 10.8–15.3 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2009) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 47.1–76.3 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 97–140 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.5p a litre, today's UK average | £993 (58.9 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £910 (74.3 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £910 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £410 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 87Below average | 105Above average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 | 21.0% (26.2%)built 2011–2020 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 32.9% | 27.7% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.8% | 9.6% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.9% | 13.9% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 34.3% | 25.5% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) | Position lamp (4.0% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 600,518 | 402,042 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,700 | 6,000 |
| On sale | 2009–2017 | 2011–2020 |
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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or Toyota Yaris Mk3 more reliable?
The Toyota Yaris Mk3. Compared with all cars the same age, the Toyota Yaris Mk3 fails its MOT 20% less often than average and the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 7% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 21.0% of Toyota Yarises built 2011–2020 failed first time, and 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Toyota Yaris Mk3?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 is 25mm longer (3,970mm against 3,945mm). Their boots are much the same: 280 and 286 litres.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Toyota Yaris Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009) and the Toyota Yaris Mk3 5 stars (2017). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Toyota Yaris Mk3?
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 for more performance, or the Toyota Yaris Mk3 for the better MOT record. 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.