2011 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · AE11 FTC
2011 Volkswagen Polo (1.2L, petrol). First registered 01 Apr 2011. Recorded mileage 105,959 miles. MOT valid until 20 Feb 2027. Taxed until 01 Aug 2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 2011 · Peterborough
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Feb 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Aug 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 105,959 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.2L
- 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.
AE11 FTC Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/02/2026
- 105,959 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 8 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (12 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
AE11 FTC 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 2011 Volkswagen Polo (AE11 FTC) between February 2024 and February 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 21 February 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (12 issues), Tyres (6 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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 Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))”; “Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
AE11 FTC Mileage History
- 17/02/202480,285 mi
- 15/02/202593,074 mi+12,789 mi
- 20/02/202593,075 mi+1 mi
- 20/02/2026105,957 mi+12,882 mi
- 21/02/2026105,959 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 12,760 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise caution before purchasing this
Pay close attention to the suspension and steering components. The 2025 MOT recorded an 'unsafe modification' to the offside front lower suspension arm mounting; you must verify that this was corrected to a factory standard and not a temporary fix. Given the repeated failures of anti-roll bar linkages and bushes across 2025 and 2026, request evidence of recent professional replacement rather than minimal repairs to pass the test.
Negotiate the price based on the immediate need for tyre replacements and the presence of sill corrosion. Check the service history to see if the wheel bearings, which showed excessive play in February 2026, have been fully replaced or simply adjusted.
The 1198cc petrol engine is designed for efficiency, typically offering low fuel consumption for urban driving. As a 2011 model, it falls into a standard tax bracket for its age, and the Polo generally sits in a lower insurance group, making it affordable for new drivers.
However, maintenance costs for this specific vehicle are likely to be higher than average. The recurring failures of suspension arms, ball joints, and wheel bearings indicate a need for ongoing investment in chassis components to keep the car roadworthy.
Conduct a thorough inspection of the underbody, specifically the sills, to assess the extent of the corrosion noted in the 2024 MOT. Check the offside front wheel for distortion and inspect all four tyres for the cracking and wear mentioned in the February 2026 test.
Listen for knocking or clicking sounds during a test drive, which would indicate that the anti-roll bar pins or wheel bearings are still worn. Specifically, check the nearside front and offside rear wheel bearings, as these were flagged for play in the most recent MOT history.
This red 2011 Volkswagen Polo has covered 105,959 miles, which is significantly higher than the model average. The MOT history shows a pattern of failures related to suspension components, wheel bearings, and tyre wear. Additionally, the 2024 record notes corrosion on the sills, suggesting age-related wear is becoming prominent.
With an average MOT pass rate of 77.3%, this model is generally stable, though aggregate data shows a high frequency of tyre and ball joint failures, both of which are present 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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