1997 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · E5 LWO
1997 Volkswagen Polo (1.0L, petrol). First registered 31 Dec 1997. Recorded mileage 40,089 miles. MOT expired on 11 Sept 2026.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 11 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 40,089 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.0L
- 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.
E5 LWO Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 12/09/2025
- 40,089 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
E5 LWO 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 1997 Volkswagen Polo (E5 LWO) between August 2022 and September 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 12 September 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
E5 LWO Mileage History
- 04/08/202226,223 mi
- 04/08/202226,223 mi
- 14/08/202326,867 mi+644 mi
- 30/08/202427,259 mi+392 mi
- 12/09/202540,089 mi+12,830 mi
Average of roughly 4,461 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volkswagen Volkswagen Polo Mk3 (6N/6N2)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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.
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VOLKSWAGEN POLO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Pedal Box Bracket Weld Fracture & Clutch Cable MisalignmentSerious
The spot-welded steel pedal box bracket can flex and crack under repetitive clutch actuation, causing the clutch pedal to drop to the floor or the clutch cable to snap.
- 085 5-Speed Manual Gearbox 5th Gear Whine & Bearing FailureSerious
The lightweight 085 5-speed manual gearbox suffers from premature output shaft bearing wear and 5th gear oil starvation if the transmission fluid level drops even slightly past the selector shaft seal.
- Ignition Coil Pack Moisture Tracking & Distributor Hall Sensor FailureModerate
The single-block ignition coil pack mounted to the bulkhead is prone to micro-cracking in damp UK weather, while earlier distributor-equipped models suffer from failed Hall effect sensors causing sudden engine cutting.
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