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2016 VOLKSWAGEN POLO1.2L Petrol

L20 PBL

Vehicle Insight Summary

2016 VOLKSWAGEN POLO — Petrol, 1197cc. This vehicle has 10,042 miles on record. MOT status: no valid MOT. Tax: not taxed. Review the complete history and specs.

MOT
Expired
Expires 07/08/2026
Tax
No data
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£8.99
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Fuel
Petrol
Year
2016
Engine
1197cc
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive repairs after years of clean records. While the most recent test in August 2025 at 10,042 miles passed, it carried an advisory for perishing rear tyres. This follows a more problematic period in August 2024 where the car failed on multiple emissions and minor mechanical points. Although the immediate failures were rectified, the recurring appearance of rubber degradation suggests a history of-related neglect. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,000 miles per year. There is a notable gap in usage between July 2022 at 6,572 miles and August 2024 at 8,113 miles, where the car covered only 1,541 miles over two years. This low usage likely explains the mechanical issues observed, such as the pitted brake discs noted in 2023, as components that sit for long periods are prone to surface corrosion rather than traditional mileage-based wear. A buyer must physically inspect the condition of all tyres, as the tester has consistently flagged cracking and perishing across three consecutive tests since 2024. This is a clear sign of age-related rot rather than tread wear. Furthermore, the 2024 failure regarding carbon monoxide and lambda sensor readings indicates the engine may have struggled with combustion efficiency due to short trips or long idling. Verify that the exhaust system is now secured and check the brake discs for any further signs of deep corrosion beyond the surface pitting mentioned in previous records.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

Vehicle Public Record vs. Hidden Financial Risk

58
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA MOT History: Verified

Public MOT roadworthiness: Below Average.

This score reflects past DVSA test passes and advisory frequency. However, it does not check if the car has £15,000 of unpaid finance, an insurance write-off marker, or a police theft report.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
Hidden Legal & Financial Status: PENDING

Verify finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers, and mileage rollback before making an offer.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for L20PBL

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked
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Technical Specifications

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Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 29 Jul 2026, 14:08
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive repairs after years of clean records. While the most recent test in August 2025 at 10,042 miles passed, it carried an advisory for perishing rear tyres. This follows a more problematic period in August 2024 where the car failed on multiple emissions and minor mechanical points. Although the immediate failures were rectified, the recurring appearance of rubber degradation suggests a history of-related neglect. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,000 miles per year. There is a notable gap in usage between July 2022 at 6,572 miles and August 2024 at 8,113 miles, where the car covered only 1,541 miles over two years. This low usage likely explains the mechanical issues observed, such as the pitted brake discs noted in 2023, as components that sit for long periods are prone to surface corrosion rather than traditional mileage-based wear. A buyer must physically inspect the condition of all tyres, as the tester has consistently flagged cracking and perishing across three consecutive tests since 2024. This is a clear sign of age-related rot rather than tread wear. Furthermore, the 2024 failure regarding carbon monoxide and lambda sensor readings indicates the engine may have struggled with combustion efficiency due to short trips or long idling. Verify that the exhaust system is now secured and check the brake discs for any further signs of deep corrosion beyond the surface pitting mentioned in previous records.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

This 2016 Volkswagen Polo (L20 PBL) has a recorded MOT history spanning from July 2022 to August 2025, with 5 MOT tests on record.

With 4 passes and 1 failures, the lifetime MOT pass rate stands at 80%. The car boasts an impressive record, which typically reflects a conscientious ownership history.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Tyres (7 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 14 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 4 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))”; “Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY