2015 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Diesel · DP15 XWF

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a reactive rather than proactive approach to repairs. While the most recent test in April 2026 at 85,964 miles passed, it carried multiple advisories regarding leaking front shock absorbers and thinning front brake pads. The trend shows a recurring pattern where components are only addressed once they reach a state of imminent failure, as evidenced by the repeated failures in 2024 and 2025. The mileage pattern is consistent with an 11-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,800 miles per year. Between April 2024 and April 2025, the car covered 8,782 miles, followed by another 7,093 miles recorded in the year leading up to the 2026 test. This steady accumulation suggests regular use, yet the failure at 78,871 miles due to a missing nearside front wheel fixing and sub-legal tyre tread depths indicates that the owner may have neglected basic safety checks until the MOT tester forced action. A prospective buyer must inspect the front suspension assembly closely, as the shock absorber misting has persisted since at least 2025 and suspension arm bushes were previously flagged as worn in 2024. The presence of rear brake binding in the 2026 test requires a physical check of the calipers and discs to ensure uneven wear is not occurring. Additionally, the heavily corroded centre exhaust sleeve noted in 2025 should be inspected to ensure the corrosion has not progressed to the structural sections of the exhaust system.