2001 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · Y166 BDE
2001 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01/03/2001. Recorded mileage 112,019 miles. MOT valid until 05/04/2027. Taxed until 01/04/2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 05/04/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/04/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 112,019 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 2001
- Engine
- 1390cc
Y166 BDE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 07/04/2026
- 112,019 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (17 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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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Y166 BDE Mileage History
- 29/03/202397,199 mi
- 28/03/202499,539 mi+2,340 mi
- 25/03/2025104,142 mi+4,603 mi
- 20/03/2026111,744 mi+7,602 mi
- 07/04/2026112,019 mi+275 mi
Average of roughly 4,899 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Y166 BDE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 Volkswagen Polo (Y166 BDE) between March 2023 and April 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 07 April 2026 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: Suspension (17 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Tyres (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 27 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 Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))”; “Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))”; “Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While the
Prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside. The 2024 MOT recorded corrosion on the front and rear sub-frames and suspension arms, and the 2026 record shows all four coil springs are corroded; you should verify if these components have been replaced or merely monitored. Request specific evidence of the repair carried out for the engine management light (MIL) failure recorded in March 2026.
Negotiate the price based on the ongoing advisories. The vehicle has a persistent 'not excessive' oil leak mentioned in both 2025 and 2026, and the offside front CV boot was noted as severely deteriorated. These are pending maintenance items that will require financial attention in the near future.
The 1390cc petrol engine is typically economical for its era, though fuel efficiency will be lower than modern equivalents. Tax and insurance should be relatively low given the Polo's small engine size and age, placing it in a lower insurance group.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average for this model due to the vehicle's age and the documented corrosion. Budgeting for suspension replacements and leak repairs is essential. The estimated annual running cost, including fuel, tax, insurance, and anticipated repairs, is approximately £900-£1,200.
Conduct a detailed visual inspection of the chassis. Specifically, check the front and rear sub-frames and the suspension arms for the corrosion noted in the 2024 records. Inspect all four coil springs for heavy rust, as these have been flagged as corroded across multiple MOT tests since 2025.
Check the engine bay for signs of the reported oil leak and inspect the offside front outer drive shaft joint for any signs of grease leakage or boot failure. Finally, examine all four tyres for perishing or cracking, as this was a recurring advisory in the 2025 MOT history.
This 2001 blue Volkswagen Polo has covered 112,019 miles. The MOT history shows a pattern of increasing corrosion, specifically affecting the front and rear sub-frames and all four coil springs. A failure in March 2026 required the resolution of an inoperative engine management light (MIL) and various lighting and suspension issues before passing in April 2026.
The Polo has an average MOT pass rate of 77.3%, with common failures often involving tyres and engine MIL issues, both of which appear in this vehicle's history.
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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