2017 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · JU13 ACK

The most recent MOT, carried out on 22 February 2026, resulted in a pass but recorded three advisories concerning the off‑side rear brake disc, the near‑side and off‑side front suspension arm pins or bushes, and a severely deteriorated dust cover on the near‑side front lower anti‑roll bar ball joint. Over the last five test cycles the vehicle has moved from a clean record in 2024 to a series of recurring advisories, indicating a gradual decline in the condition of the braking and front suspension components rather than an improvement. The pattern suggests that wear on these items is accumulating and that proactive attention will be required to prevent a future failure. At nine years old the Polo has logged 85,313 miles, which works out to just under 9,500 miles per annum – a figure that sits comfortably within the typical UK usage range for a vehicle of this age. The mileage does not point to any periods of extreme short‑term abuse, but the relatively steady accumulation means that wear items such as brake discs, pads and suspension bushings are likely to be approaching the latter stages of their service life. There are no obvious gaps in the recorded mileage that would suggest long periods of storage, so the wear pattern should be fairly uniform across the drivetrain and chassis. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the braking system. The off‑side rear disc, together with both front inner discs, have been flagged as worn, pitted or scored on multiple occasions; while they have not yet been deemed unsafe, the progressive scoring can lead to reduced disc thickness, uneven pad contact and a pulsating brake pedal under firm application. A test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to check for any shudder, vibration or increased pedal travel, and a visual inspection should confirm that disc thickness remains above the minimum specification and that the pads have sufficient remaining material. The front brake pads were noted as thin in the 2025 MOT, so replacement of the pads – and likely the discs – should be budgeted for within the next few thousand miles. The front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides have been identified as worn, and the anti‑roll bar ball joint dust cover is severely deteriorated, which can allow moisture ingress and accelerate corrosion of the ball joint itself. On a low‑speed drive, listen for clunking or knocking when steering over bumps or when the wheels are turned sharply; any excessive play or uneven tyre wear may also point to worn bushings. Inspection should include a visual check of the bushings for cracks, oil seepage or looseness, and the dust cover should be replaced to protect the ball joint from the elements. In addition, verify that the headlamp aim on the near‑side is correctly adjusted, as an incorrectly aimed lamp can be a safety issue and may indicate prior bodywork or alignment work. Finally, given the vehicle’s age, examine the tyre sidewalls for cracking or dry rot, assess the 12‑volt battery’s cranking performance, and confirm that the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid have been changed in accordance with the service schedule – all of which are essential to ensure continued reliability beyond the next MOT.