VOLKSWAGEN POLO2012 · 1.2L PETROL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the most recent inspection history indicates a worsening trend in reactive maintenance. While the car passed its May 2026 test at 81,279 miles, it followed a failure just one month prior at 81,039 miles. This failure revealed significant issues including a major exhaust leak, insufficient brake travel, and worn front suspension arm bushes. The data suggests the owner is only addressing mechanical faults when forced by an MOT failure, rather than following a preventative service schedule. At 14 years old, the recorded mileage of 81,279 miles represents a low average of approximately 5,800 miles per year. However, the usage patterns are inconsistent. There was a significant two-year gap between September 2022 and May 2024 where the vehicle covered only 6,248 miles, followed by a rapid burst of over 6,000 miles in the year leading up to the recent failure. This low annual mileage often leads to the degradation of rubber components, which is evidenced by the recurring reports of perished and cracking tyres across the last three tests. A buyer must physically inspect the front suspension to ensure the repairs made after the April 2026 failure were thorough. The tester previously flagged excessive wear on the nearside suspension arm bush, which affects handling and causes uneven tyre wear. The braking system also requires close attention, as the previous failure for insufficient reserve travel suggests a worn master cylinder or degraded hydraulic lines that may not have been fully rectified. Given the consistent history of perished tyres and exhaust leaks since 2025, the vehicle shows signs of age-related material fatigue despite the relatively low mileage.