2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · AM58 TCV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but exhibits a worsening trend in reactive maintenance rather than preventative care. While it passed its most recent test in September 2025 at 131,400 miles, it had failed that same test due to multiple safety defects. The tester identified a fractured nearside rear coil spring and a corroded offside rear coil spring, alongside front tyres reaching legal limits. These failures indicate that the previous owner only addressed mechanical issues once they reached a critical point, rather than performing routine component replacements. At 131,400 miles over 17 years, the Polo has averaged approximately 7,700 miles per year, which aligns with typical UK usage for an older hatchback. The record shows consistent annual testing with roughly 12,000 miles covered between September 2024 and 2025, and about 9,000 miles between September 2023 and 2024. This steady accumulation suggests the car is in active use rather than sitting for long periods, which often explains the gradual degradation of rubber-based components and suspension bushings. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the entire suspension and braking system. The history shows recurring issues with suspension components, including deteriorated anti-roll bar linkages in 2024 and a track rod end dust cover in 2025. The report of a binding offside front brake in 2023 suggests the caliper pistons or slide pins may be prone to seizing. Furthermore, the documented corrosion on the exhaust and coil springs back to 2022 necessitates a close check of the structural integrity and exhaust mounting points to ensure that rust has not progressed beyond the recorded advisories.