Results of the study into the forms of surface failure of cross-linked polystyrene, polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate resulting from rolling contact are presented. Also the influence of two different lubricating liquids on the time to failure is quantitatively assessed and discussed. Under the contact stress ranged from 1.5 to 2.6 GPa it was found that in case of certain polymers the surface failure is of similar type and morphology to that observed for some ferrous materials. The type and chemical nature of a lubricating liquid both have a significant influence on the number of load cycles to failure.