2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  16.3% All 2000 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Flexible brake hoses2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  15.1% All 2000 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  8.9% All 2000 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.6% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Windscreen2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  9.1% All 2000 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  48% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  46% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  36% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?