2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · AP09 HZX

The most recent MOT on 12 August 2026 was a pass, but it carried advisories that the nearside and off‑side front tyres are close to the legal tread limit. Over the last three years the vehicle has moved from a series of major failures in 2023 and 2025 to a clean pass in 2026, indicating that the owner has addressed the most critical safety items, yet the recurrence of tyre and lighting advisories shows that the overall maintenance pattern is only marginally improving and still requires close attention. At 167 051 miles the Polo has averaged just under 10 000 miles per year since its 2009 registration, a usage rate that is typical for a family hatchback of this age. The mileage record does not reveal any long periods of inactivity that would suggest severe ageing of components, but the cumulative distance means that wear items such as suspension bushings, brake discs, tyres and engine accessories are well into their service lives and will be approaching the end of their design life. A prospective buyer should give particular focus to the tyre condition: the front tyres are already at the legal limit and the rear nearside tyre was recorded as dangerous with damaged ply, so all four tyres should be inspected for tread depth, sidewall cracking and uniform wear, and be replaced promptly if any deficiency is found. The exhaust system has shown a carbon‑monoxide excess and a minor leak, so a thorough visual inspection for cracks, loose clamps or perforations is essential, and a functional emissions test should be performed after any repair. The rear suspension sill on the nearside shows excessive corrosion, which can compromise structural integrity; the buyer should check for rust on the mounting points, listen for clunking over bumps, and verify that the vehicle tracks straight. The seat‑belt anchorage on the same side is also corroded, so the anchorage should be examined for metal loss and tested for proper load retention. The parking brake lever exhibited excessive movement, indicating a likely need for adjustment or cable replacement, and the off‑side headlamp aim was out of specification, so the lighting alignment and all position lamps must be verified for correct operation. Brake service is overdue: the front brake disc was noted as pitted and the off‑side front pad thickness was below 1.5 mm, a dangerous condition that will require disc resurfacing or replacement together with new pads. The off‑side front coil spring was recorded as fractured and the rear shock absorbers showed worn bushings, both of which will produce noticeable ride harshness, uneven tyre wear and reduced handling stability; a test drive should reveal any knocking or excessive bounce, and replacement of the coil spring and both rear shocks is advisable. Finally, the anti‑roll bar dust‑cover on the off‑side is missing, allowing dirt ingress that can accelerate wear of the linkage – fitting a new cover is a low‑cost preventive measure. Given the vehicle’s age, the buyer should also check the battery’s cranking voltage, inspect coolant, brake and power‑steering fluids for signs of contamination, and ensure that the service booklet shows regular oil changes, as time‑based fluid degradation can affect reliability even if mileage is moderate.