1998 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · S833 AAP
1998 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01/08/1998. Recorded mileage 127,058 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20/12/2023
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 127,058 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 1390cc
S833 AAP Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/12/2022
- 127,058 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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S833 AAP Mileage History
- 23/10/2021123,232 mi
- 30/10/2021123,626 mi+394 mi
- 21/12/2022127,058 mi+3,432 mi
Average of roughly 3,295 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
S833 AAP MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Volkswagen Polo (S833 AAP) between October 2021 and December 2022.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 21 December 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (7 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 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 Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While this 1998 Green Polo is a rare survivor, its MOT history reveals systemic structural corrosion and recurring mechanical neglect.
If you are considering this car, a professional structural inspection is non-negotiable. The 2020 MOT recorded major failures for the offside rear suspension mounting and the nearside front seat belt anchorage in the floor; you must verify that these were welded properly and not just patched. Check for current rust in the boot wheel well and sills, as these were recurring advisories across multiple years.
Negotiate hard based on the pending maintenance. The most recent test in December 2022 flagged damaged rear valve stems, a cut tyre, and an exhaust leak. These are immediate costs for the new owner. Demand a full service history to see if the 'non-excessive' oil leak mentioned from 2016 to 2020 was ever actually addressed or if it is a symptom of a failing engine seal.
As a 1.4L petrol from 1998, this Polo is relatively economical for its age. It will fall into a mid-range insurance group and have modest road tax, though it lacks the efficiency of modern small cars.
Maintenance costs are likely to be high due to the vehicle's age and condition. Between the recurring suspension bush wear, wheel bearing play, and the persistent exhaust leaks noted in the MOT history, you should budget for frequent small repairs to keep it roadworthy.
Focus heavily on the chassis. Inspect the offside front sill and the rear boot wheel well, both of which have been flagged as corroded in multiple MOT tests. Check the underbody for any signs of poor-quality welding repairs following the 2020 structural failures.
Mechanically, check for oil residue around the engine to assess the long-term oil leak. Test the brakes thoroughly, as the vehicle has a history of 'imbalanced' rear brakes and binding issues (2015 and 2020). Finally, check the current state of the tyres and valve stems, as the 2022 MOT specifically noted damage to the rear wheels.
This vehicle has covered 127,058 miles over nearly three decades. The MOT history is concerning, highlighting significant structural failures including corroded sills and floor pan anchorage points in 2020, alongside a persistent oil leak noted since at least 2016. Frequent failures for basic lighting and brake imbalances suggest a pattern of minimal maintenance.
While specific aggregate data is unavailable, this individual vehicle shows a high propensity for rust and suspension wear common in older small Volkswagens.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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