1997 Volkswagen Polo 1.6L Petrol · R364 GHR
1997 Volkswagen Polo (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 96,371 miles. MOT expired on 22 Aug 2017.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 22 Aug 2017
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Oct 2017)
- Recorded Mileage
- 96,371 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- 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.
R364 GHR Key Findings
- 15 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 23/08/2016
- 96,371 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R364 GHR 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 1997 Volkswagen Polo (R364 GHR) between August 2006 and August 2016.
The record contains 10 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 23 August 2016 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 5 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (8 issues), Suspension (6 issues), Brakes (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 16 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 Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)”; “Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)”; “Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)”.
R364 GHR Mileage History
- 29/08/200656,017 mi
- 28/08/200760,262 mi+4,245 mi
- 28/08/200760,262 mi
- 12/08/200864,653 mi+4,391 mi
- 12/08/200864,653 mi
- 29/07/200970,351 mi+5,698 mi
- 19/08/201075,800 mi+5,449 mi
- 02/08/201180,750 mi+4,950 mi
- 02/08/201180,750 mi
- 03/08/201285,728 mi+4,978 mi
- 25/10/201391,839 mi+6,111 mi
- 26/10/201391,839 mi
- 09/10/201495,769 mi+3,930 mi
- 10/10/201495,770 mi+1 mi
- 23/08/201696,371 mi+601 mi
Average of roughly 4,042 miles per year across 15 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (R364 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as R364GHR.
BAJAJ
UNKNOWN
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
FIAT
MOTOR CARAVAN
SUZUKI
GSF600
YAMAHA
VIRAGO
ALFA ROMEO
GTV
PIAGGIO
VESPA
KAWASAKI
ZX-6R
MITSUBISHI
SHOGUN
VOLVO
V70
MERCEDES-BENZ
208 D
YAMAHA
V-MAX
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 1997 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.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.