1996 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · N551 HBP
1996 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01 May 1996. Recorded mileage 108,588 miles. MOT expired on 16 Mar 2012.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 16 Mar 2012
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Nov 2011)
- Recorded Mileage
- 108,588 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
N551 HBP Key Findings
- 8 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 17/03/2011
- 108,588 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
N551 HBP MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
8 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Volkswagen Polo (N551 HBP) between April 2006 and March 2011.
The record contains 6 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 17 March 2011 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (4 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 6 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)”; “Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”; “Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”.
N551 HBP Mileage History
- 28/04/200679,700 mi
- 28/04/200679,700 mi
- 17/04/200783,744 mi+4,044 mi
- 31/03/200889,960 mi+6,216 mi
- 02/03/200995,353 mi+5,393 mi
- 03/03/200995,353 mi
- 18/02/2010100,502 mi+5,149 mi
- 17/03/2011108,588 mi+8,086 mi
Average of roughly 5,915 miles per year across 8 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volkswagen Volkswagen Polo Mk3 (6N/6N2)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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VOLKSWAGEN POLO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 model year cars.
- Pedal Box Bracket Weld Fracture & Clutch Cable MisalignmentSerious
The spot-welded steel pedal box bracket can flex and crack under repetitive clutch actuation, causing the clutch pedal to drop to the floor or the clutch cable to snap.
- 085 5-Speed Manual Gearbox 5th Gear Whine & Bearing FailureSerious
The lightweight 085 5-speed manual gearbox suffers from premature output shaft bearing wear and 5th gear oil starvation if the transmission fluid level drops even slightly past the selector shaft seal.
- Ignition Coil Pack Moisture Tracking & Distributor Hall Sensor FailureModerate
The single-block ignition coil pack mounted to the bulkhead is prone to micro-cracking in damp UK weather, while earlier distributor-equipped models suffer from failed Hall effect sensors causing sudden engine cutting.
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