2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  17.6% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.8% of all 2001 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

  14.8% All 2001 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 2001 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  13.7% All 2001 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Suspension arm2.7× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  8.5% All 2001 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes2.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  8.2% All 2001 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.6% of all 2001 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 2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 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
  47% 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
  38% 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
  19% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  17% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 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 2.8× as often on the 2001 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 2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Polo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?