1996 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · P118 LVX
1996 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Nov 1996. Recorded mileage 87,072 miles. MOT expired on 06 Nov 2017.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 06 Nov 2017
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (31 Jan 2020)
- Recorded Mileage
- 87,072 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.
P118 LVX Key Findings
- 15 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 05/06/2018
- 87,072 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- 12 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P118 LVX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
15 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Volkswagen Polo (P118 LVX) between November 2006 and June 2018.
The record contains 11 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 05 June 2018 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (7 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Brakes (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Windscreen (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 9 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: “Offside Front Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))”; “Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))”.
P118 LVX Mileage History
- 06/11/200638,994 mi
- 07/11/200638,994 mi
- 06/11/200740,763 mi+1,769 mi
- 03/11/200842,220 mi+1,457 mi
- 02/11/200943,850 mi+1,630 mi
- 28/10/201045,317 mi+1,467 mi
- 24/10/201147,507 mi+2,190 mi
- 26/10/201250,394 mi+2,887 mi
- 26/10/201354,109 mi+3,715 mi
- 26/10/201354,109 mi
- 10/10/201457,959 mi+3,850 mi
- 10/10/201457,959 mi
- 31/10/201563,360 mi+5,401 mi
- 31/10/201675,058 mi+11,698 mi
- 05/06/201887,072 mi+12,014 mi
Average of roughly 4,152 miles per year across 15 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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