2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · FV12 AYA

The Polo's 1.2‑litre petrol engine typically achieves around 55 mpg, giving an annual fuel cost of roughly £700‑£800 if driven 8,000 miles per year at current fuel prices. Road tax for this engine size and CO2 emissions is likely £0, which helps keep running costs low.

Insurance groups for a 2012 Polo sit in the mid‑teens (group 12‑14), translating to an average annual premium of £450‑£550 depending on driver profile. Routine maintenance on a vehicle of this age and mileage usually runs £150‑£250 per year, but budgeting for tyre replacement (given the repeated wear advisories) and potential suspension work could raise the total to £800‑£1,000 annually.

Inspect all four tyres for tread depth, sidewall cracks and uniform wear, as the MOT history shows tyre wear warnings in 2023, 2024 and a failure in 2025. Uneven wear may indicate alignment issues, especially since the off‑side front headlamp was out of adjustment in the 2025 failure.

Examine the front suspension, focusing on the strut top mount (noisy in 2026) and the suspension arm pins or bushes flagged as worn in the 2024 MOT. Look for any play or oil leakage from the shock absorbers, which were noted to have light oil mist.

Check the exhaust system for leaks around the front flexi pipe and rear silencer, as the 2026 MOT recorded a minor exhaust leak. Also verify that the driver’s seat back release handle is present and functional, as it was missing in the latest test.