2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · HO11 PEL

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of reactive rather than proactive care. The most recent test in October 2025 at 59,123 miles flagged a light misting on the offside front shock absorber and noted both front tyres were reaching the legal limit. While the car passed, the recurring nature of tyre-related advisories suggests the previous owner only addresses consumable items when they approach an MOT failure point. The mileage pattern is consistent with a low-use vehicle, averaging approximately 7,400 miles per year. There is a clear gap of 11,600 miles between the October 2023 test at 37,217 miles and the October 2024 test at 48,817 miles, followed by another 10,306 miles the following year. This steady accumulation indicates the car is not sitting for long periods, which explains the degradation of rubber components and suspension despite the relatively low overall mileage. A buyer must focus specifically on the front suspension geometry and braking system. The record consistently notes tyres worn on the inner or outer edges across 2023, 2024, and 2025, which frequently points to alignment issues or worn suspension bushes. Furthermore, the 2024 failure due to a damaged track rod end ball joint cover and the repeated reports of lipped brake discs indicate that the front-end components are under significant stress. The misting shock absorber from the latest test should be monitored to ensure the seal does not progress to a total failure that would require immediate replacement.