2010 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · EJ60 FPD

This 2010 VW Polo presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent MOT on 6 August 2025 at 118,247 miles passed, yet the tester flagged two distinct advisories: a severely deteriorated nearside front outer CV joint boot and slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. These are not fresh failures, but they indicate the car is entering a phase where aging suspension and drivetrain components demand attention. The maintenance trend is neither sharply worsening nor fully resolving; it shows a pattern of intermittent advisories that have been managed rather than systematically addressed. The mileage accumulation is broadly consistent with typical use for a 16-year-old supermini. From 100,733 miles in December 2021 to 118,247 miles in August 2025, the car covered roughly 17,500 miles over nearly four years, averaging around 4,400 miles annually in that window, which is lower than the overall lifetime average of 7,390 miles per year. This suggests lighter recent use or periods of limited driving. The record itself is reasonably well documented with tests in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, though the gap between January 2023 and February 2024 is notable and could reflect a period of reduced use or a missed annual test. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and steering. The recurring theme across multiple tests is play in track rod ends and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, along with a damaged Macpherson strut top mount noted in February 2024. These point to worn steering geometry that can cause vague handling and uneven tyre wear. The CV joint boot deterioration flagged in both February 2024 and August 2025 on the nearside front is a persistent issue; if the joint itself has been running dry, a replacement driveshaft may be imminent. Rear inner tyre sidewall cracking appeared in both January 2023 and February 2024, suggesting the car may have stood for extended periods or been fitted with aged rubber. A thorough check of all tyre dates, including the spare, is essential. The braking system shows gradual wear rather than acute neglect. Front brake discs were flagged as worn and pitted in December 2021, with pads noted as wearing thin at the same test, yet no further brake defects have appeared in subsequent records. This implies the discs and pads were likely replaced after 2021, but a buyer should verify pad thickness and disc condition directly. The oil leak advisory from February 2024 was described as not excessive, but any fresh inspection should examine the engine and gearbox for seepage that may have worsened. Overall, the car appears mechanically functional but carries the hallmarks of a vehicle where consumable suspension and drivetrain items are reaching the end of their serviceable life.