2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · FN52 ACJ
2002 Volkswagen Polo (1.2L, petrol). First registered 05/09/2002. Recorded mileage 177,870 miles. MOT status: Expired.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Nottingham
- MOT Status
- Valid until 14/07/2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 177,870 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.2L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Archived Record
Registration no longer recorded by DVLA. This usually means the vehicle is now using a private plate.
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Year
- 2002
- Engine
- 1200cc
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
FN52 ACJ Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 15/07/2024
- 177,870 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: 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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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FN52 ACJ Mileage History
- 16/04/2022131,079 mi
- 06/05/2023165,443 mi+34,364 mi
- 15/07/2024177,870 mi+12,427 mi
Average of roughly 20,819 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
FN52 ACJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Volkswagen Polo (FN52 ACJ) between April 2022 and July 2024.
The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A sensible option for those seeking a budget-friendly runaround with a clean recent MOT history. However, the high mileage means you should prioritise mechanical inspections over the lack of recorded defects.
Given the vehicle's age and the recorded 177,870 miles, your primary focus should be on the service history. While the MOT records show no defects for the last three tests, an MOT is a snapshot of roadworthiness, not a guarantee of mechanical health. Ask for evidence of cambelt changes and oil service intervals, which are critical for this 1200cc engine.
When viewing the car, check for any signs of oil leaks or unusual engine noise, as high-mileage petrol engines can develop wear in gaskets and seals. Negotiate based on the high mileage, even if the MOT history is clean, as components like suspension bushings and exhaust systems are nearing the end of their typical lifespans.
As a 1.2L petrol engine, this Polo is designed for efficiency, though fuel economy will depend heavily on driving style and maintenance. Being a 2002 model, it will likely fall into a lower insurance group, making it affordable for younger drivers.
Maintenance costs for a vehicle of this age are typically moderate, but you should budget for more frequent replacements of wear-and-tear items like tyres, brakes, and wipers. Expect an estimated annual running cost to reflect the high mileage and age of the vehicle.
Since the MOT history from 2022 to 2024 shows no recorded defects, there are no specific failure patterns to warn you about. However, you should manually inspect the tyres, brake pads, and wiper blades, as these are common items that can be close to legal limits even if they passed the last test.
Pay close attention to the underside of the car for signs of corrosion, a common factor in older Volkswagens. Additionally, test the clutch engagement and gear change smoothness, as these are vital components that often show wear on high-mileage examples like this one.
This 2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Petrol presents with a consistent MOT record over the last three years, showing no recorded defects in its most recent tests. While the mileage is significant, sitting at 177,870 miles as of July 2024, the vehicle has successfully passed its inspections through various stages of its life. It represents a high-mileage example of a classic small hatchback.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Volkswagen Polo model to provide a statistical comparison.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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