2000 Volkswagen Polo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  25.1% All 2000 cars

  15%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  18.3% All 2000 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Headlights2× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  15% All 2000 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  13.1% All 2000 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, 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 bushes3× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  9.4% All 2000 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, 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.

Common 2000 Volkswagen Polo petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Lights and electrics
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  39% 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.

• Brakes
  39% 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  23% 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 an engine warning light.

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

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

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?