1998 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · R743 HKN
1998 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 141,321 miles. MOT expired on 08 Nov 2012. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 08 Nov 2012
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Dec 2012)
- Recorded Mileage
- 141,321 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
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.
R743 HKN Key Findings
- 13 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 09/11/2011
- 141,321 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R743 HKN MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
13 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Volkswagen Polo (R743 HKN) between August 2005 and November 2011.
The record contains 7 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 09 November 2011 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 6 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (5 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 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: “Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)”; “Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”; “Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)”.
R743 HKN Mileage History
- 13/08/200592,798 mi
- 15/08/200592,120 mi-678 mi
- 23/04/2007106,395 mi+14,275 mi
- 09/06/2008116,629 mi+10,234 mi
- 09/06/2008116,630 mi+1 mi
- 22/09/2008117,555 mi+925 mi
- 22/09/2008117,555 mi
- 17/09/2009122,404 mi+4,849 mi
- 19/09/2009122,441 mi+37 mi
- 26/10/2010130,341 mi+7,900 mi
- 26/10/2010130,341 mi
- 17/10/2011141,265 mi+10,924 mi
- 09/11/2011141,321 mi+56 mi
Average of roughly 7,777 miles per year across 13 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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: Poor
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 1998 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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