2014 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · HE02 APS

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening condition regarding front-end components. While it passed the most recent April 2026 test at 103,060 miles, it failed just one day prior due to critical safety failures regarding tyres and suspension linkage. The persistence of worn nearside and offside suspension arm bushes across 2025 and 2026 indicates that these components are reaching the end of their functional life and require proactive replacement. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a twelve-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,600 miles per year. Between March 2023 and March 2024, the car covered 8,389 miles, followed by 8,953 miles in the following year, and 9,746 miles leading up to the recent April 2026 test. This steady accumulation suggests regular road use, though the sudden failure in April 2026 for sub-legal tyres indicates that the owner may have neglected essential consumable maintenance during the recent period of higher mileage. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry. The recurring advisories for misting front shock absorbers since 2024 suggest the seals are failing, and while not yet a failure, the leak will eventually turn into a functional defect. The nearside anti-roll bar linkage that caused the April 2026 failure should have been replaced, but the buyer should verify the quality of this work as the remaining worn bushes will continue to affect steering precision and uneven tyre wear.