2001 Volkswagen Polo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  28% All 2001 cars

  16%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2001 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.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  18.9% All 2001 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3.7% of all 2001 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  15.5% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, 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.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  19.1% All 2001 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.8% of all 2001 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  14.5% All 2001 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, 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.

Common 2001 Volkswagen Polo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 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
  43% 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
  42% 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
  37% 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
  32% 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
  22% 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 2001 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 1.8× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?