2011 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · KY60 NND

The 2011 Volkswagen Polo holds a current MOT, having passed on 20 October 2025 at 107,325 miles, but the maintenance trend is best described as stable-to-worsening rather than resolving. The most recent test still recorded a play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint, light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber, and front service brakes binding on both sides. Front brake discs were worn, pitted or scored, and the offside front outer CV boot was severely deteriorated. These are not fresh defects. The same steering rack play and front brake binding appeared in the failed test three days earlier, and the rear exhaust box remains corroded. The vehicle passed, but only after addressing a central rear seat belt fault and an offside front shock absorber that had deteriorated from a light misting to a serious fluid leak between the two October 2025 tests. That progression on a single shock absorber over three days suggests a component that was already marginal and failed suddenly. The mileage pattern is broadly consistent with light, regular use. The car recorded 104,099 miles on 18 September 2024 and 107,325 miles on 20 October 2025, adding roughly 3,200 miles over thirteen months. That sits comfortably within the typical annual range for a fifteen-year-old supermini. There are no glaring gaps or sudden jumps in the recorded odometer readings, and the MOT history shows near-annual testing without prolonged lapses. The vehicle does not appear to have stood idle for long periods, nor has it been subjected to unusually high annual mileage that would accelerate wear on drivetrain and suspension components. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and steering, given the recurring pattern of faults in that area. The nearside front shock absorber has shown oil misting across multiple tests, and the offside unit developed a serious leak shortly before the October 2025 pass. Both front upper shock absorber bushes have been flagged as worn, and the nearside steering rack inner joint has recorded play in consecutive tests. The steering rack gaiter was also missing or ineffective in September 2024, which accelerates joint wear. Have the front shocks, top mounts, and rack inner joints examined for play and weeping. The front brake binding and scored discs point to caliper slide guide issues or a sticking handbrake mechanism, so check caliper free movement and handbrake cable operation. The offside front outer CV boot has been severely deteriorated across multiple tests, meaning the joint has been exposed to dirt and water. Inspect the joint for clicking under load and check whether the boot has been replaced or merely noted. The rear exhaust box has been corroded since at least September 2024, so examine the full exhaust for perforation, especially at the rear box and back seam. Tyre condition has been a recurring advisory and failure point, with tread below 1.6mm and exposed cords flagged in 2024, suggesting previous owners ran tyres to the legal limit rather than replacing them proactively.