2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · DA18 SXO

The Volkswagen Polo passed its most recent MOT on 30 January 2026 at 40,886 miles, but only after a same-day failure for a deteriorated Nearside Front track rod end dust cover that had begun allowing dirt ingress. The maintenance trend is worsening. Recurring brake disc pitting and all-round thinning pads now sit alongside degraded steering linkage gaiters, showing deferred consumable and steering-component care across the last three tests. Recorded mileage sits at 40,886 over roughly eight years, an average of 5,111 miles per year and low for the age. The car added just 10,164 miles between February 2025 (30,722 miles) and January 2026, and only 2,949 miles in the prior year to February 2025. Low annual use with long standing periods likely explains the perishing track rod gaiters and slight tyre cracking flagged in 2025 rather than high-speed mechanical fatigue. A buyer should physically inspect both front track rod end ball joints and their dust covers; the Offside was already damaged in 2025 and the Nearside failed the January 2026 test before rectification. All four brake discs show a running scoring fault since 2024, and every corner carried wearing-thin pads at the last test, so caliper slide condition and disc runout warrant measurement. The 2025 test noted fraying on the Offside Front seat belt webbing and very slight cracking on both rear tyres. Verify the belt was replaced and confirm fresh tyres are fitted. No structural corrosion or chassis faults appear in the record, but the pattern of repeated advisories left unaddressed between tests suggests basic upkeep was skipped until forced by failure.