2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Shock absorbers2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  12.6% All 2012 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Number plate lights1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  12.7% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Braking performance1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  8.6% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  8.1% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Headlights1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  6.5% All 2012 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.7% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  32% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  25% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain rattle (1.2 petrol)

  1.2 petrol

  The 1.2 petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch and rattle.

  At the viewing: Listen for a rattle in the first few seconds of a cold start.

  Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

• 7-speed DSG automatic

  DSG automatic only

  Owners have reported problems with the 7-speed DSG.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, test it in slow traffic and ask for proof of gearbox oil changes.

  Source: What Car?: used Polo (2009-2017) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol

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

1. Has the timing chain been checked or replaced?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Polo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?