2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · FN59 YSL

A clear pattern of front anti-roll bar linkage wear emerges across multiple MOT entries on this 2009 Volkswagen Polo, with the suspension components flagged at three consecutive tests before the most recent two passes returned no recorded defects. In October 2020 both front linkage ball joints were noted with slight play and recorded as advisories, a sign that the wear was already measurable but not yet at failure threshold. By October 2022 the offside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover was judged severely deteriorated, the dust cover being the protective shroud that retains grease and excludes contamination from the working joint. The absence of further anti-roll bar advisories in the 2024 and 2025 passes suggests either that the deteriorated component was replaced or that subsequent testing did not detect renewed deterioration, a point worth verifying on a physical inspection. A minor windscreen damage notation in 2023 and a minor side repeater lens issue in 2020 are cosmetic entries with no structural implication, while the 2019 advisory on a deteriorated front passenger door hinge is the only other mechanical blemish in an otherwise unflagged record. The most recent test on 23 October 2025 recorded a straightforward pass with no advisories or minor defects, indicating the vehicle cleared roadworthiness checks cleanly at that point, though the trend only covers the most recent two cycles. An unusually low annual mileage of around 1,375 miles is recorded over this seventeen-year-old Polo's life, which sits well below typical usage for a vehicle of its age. MOT tests were carried out annually from 2018 through 2025 without interruption, confirming the vehicle has not been laid up for extended periods and has been presented for testing consistently, ruling out the multi-year standing concerns that can affect low-mileage vehicles. The cumulative effect of such light annual mileage is reduced wear on major drivetrain and consumable components such as the clutch, brakes, and engine internals, but it can also bring about age-related deterioration in rubber components, seals, and flexible pipes that degrade with calendar age regardless of distance covered. The MOT history provided does not include mileage readings between tests, so it is not possible from these records alone to confirm whether the 23,377 miles accumulated steadily or whether there were inactive periods between tests. Any prospective buyer should request the V5C and previous service documentation to verify the consistency of the odometer and to establish what, if any, mechanical servicing has been carried out during the low-mileage years. For a physical inspection, the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints should be a primary focus given their repeated appearance across the MOT record. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, as worn anti-roll bar ball joints typically produce audible impacts when the suspension is loaded and unloaded. With the vehicle raised or on a ramp, manually check the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints for vertical and horizontal play by attempting to move them by hand, and inspect the rubber dust covers for splits, tears, or displacement that would allow grease to escape and contaminants to enter. The front passenger door hinge flagged in 2019 should be checked for continued deterioration by opening and closing the door several times, listening for creaking or binding and observing whether the door drops on its hinges when released, which would indicate worn hinge pins or bushes. Beyond these specific items, general inspection should include a thorough check underneath for any corrosion to brake pipes, fuel lines, and the subframe, particularly given the vehicle's age, and a careful look at all suspension bushes, steering rack gaiters, and CV joint boots for the typical age-related cracking common to vehicles of this vintage regardless of their low recorded mileage.