What's Good
Still the most status you can buy in a small ordinary hatchback of its age, but silver now the best colour. Apart from attractive new front and interior, the car looks the same as the previous Polo but is actually 75% new with stiffer shell, tighter shut lines, higher specs (PAS and ABS on all models) and a huge range of engines from 1.0 litre 50 bhp to 1.6 litre 16v with 125 bhp. The new three-cylinder pump injector 1.4 TDI is amazing, offering 75 bhp and 144lb ft torque which makes it quick off the mark as well as very economical, from £11,670 in UK. Four-Star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Have seen a year old Polo sell at public auction for 86% of its new list price. Both 1.7SDI and 1.4TDI emit 119g/km C02, so qualify for £80pa VED from April 2002. VWs generally had below average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 76.83 v/s lowest 31.93). Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk Petrol and diesel models average for breakdowns, problems and faults in 2003 Which survey.
Last updated 3-3-2009
What's Bad
Expensive, ranging in price at launch from £8,290 to £14,460.
Gearchange quality still varies and transmission failures are more common than on other similar sized European cars.
GTi feels top heavy on corners and does not inspire confidence.
Spanish rather than German build quality.
Complaint that lacquer on GTi alloys is prone to peel off.
Only 87% breakdown free in 2003 Which survey. 1.4 16v and 1.6 16v engines have plastic timing belt tensioner rollers which can shatter after about 40,000 miles, throwing off the belt. 2004 Which? quote: "Prone to breakdowns and remarkably easy to break into. Leave nothing of any value in a Polo. Better still, don't even consider buying one." Replaced by new model on Fabia floorpan in 2002.
What to Watch Out For
See previous model Polo 1994 - 1999.
Pedal box prone to failure. Franchises quote over £500 to fix them.
Poor performance and fuel economy of Y and 51 reg 1.4 and 1.6 16vs may be due to fault with ECU, cured under warranty by dealer replacing the ECU.
Below minus 8 degrees centigrade, condensation in sumps of 1.0 and 1.4 engines emulsifies and blocks crankcase breather pipe leading to lack of engine lubrication and engine failure
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