2017 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · FD17 VBY

A recurring theme of brake and front suspension wear runs through the MOT history of this 2017 Volkswagen Polo, with the most recent test on 17 October 2025 producing a pass but only after a failure earlier that same day for a rough offside front wheel bearing, accompanied by advisories for pitted and scored rear brake discs and play in the nearside steering rack inner joint. The braking components have appeared as advisories across multiple years, with pitted discs noted on both axles in 2023 and again on the rears in 2025, suggesting gradual but persistent deterioration of the disc surfaces rather than a single isolated event. A separate failure in July 2022 recorded the offside parking brake as inoperative on one side, with the parking brake efficiency only just meeting requirements, which points to an earlier issue with the rear brake mechanism or cable system. The advisory record, particularly the steering rack play flagged in 2025, combined with the wheel bearing failure, suggests that front-end steering and suspension components are now the primary mechanical concern for this vehicle. With 70,549 miles recorded over nine years, the Polo has covered approximately 7,839 miles annually, a broadly typical rate for its age and consistent with regular daily use rather than extended periods of inactivity. The mileage progression between tests is steady and shows no sudden jumps or long unexplained gaps in recording, which indicates continuous but moderate use. From a mechanical standpoint, this usage pattern means the wear seen on the braking and suspension components is consistent with accumulated mileage on consumable items rather than any unusual stress, although the repetition of brake disc advisories over three test cycles suggests those components may be approaching the point where replacement is more urgent than the advisories alone would imply. Any prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension and steering assembly, given the 2025 advisory for play in the nearside steering rack inner joint. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, and feel for any vagueness, sloppiness, or slight delay in steering response that could indicate worn inner tie rod or rack ends. With the engine running and the vehicle stationary, gently turn the wheel from lock to lock and feel for any juddering or roughness through the steering, which could indicate the wheel bearing issue has spread to the opposite side or that further bearing wear has developed since the October 2025 test. The brake system warrants close physical inspection, starting with a visual check of both front and rear discs for lipping, corrosion pitting around the outer edges, and surface scoring. On the road, brake firmly from around 40 mph and feel for any vibration through the brake pedal or steering wheel, a common symptom of warped or unevenly worn discs. The parking brake should also be tested on an incline to confirm it holds firmly on both sides, given the 2022 failure. Finally, inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, particularly inner or outer edge wear which could point to alignment or suspension geometry issues linked to the steering rack play, and verify the front tyres have adequate tread since the 2023 test noted both fronts as worn close to the legal limit.