2017 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · L123 DEX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive rather than proactive repairs. While it passed the April 2026 test at 55,571 miles, it failed just days prior due to multiple mechanical and structural issues. The presence of a coolant leak and a failing coil spring appearing in both the 2025 and 2026 tests indicates that certain components are only being addressed once they reach a point of failure. The mileage pattern is consistent with a nine-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,175 miles per year. There is a notable gap in usage between October 2023 at 45,314 miles and February 2025 at 46,119 miles, where the car covered fewer than 900 miles in over sixteen months. However, the vehicle has covered over 9,400 miles in the last fourteen months, suggesting a recent increase in usage that likely contributed to the accelerated wear on rubber-based suspension and cooling components. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The record flagged a fractured offside coil spring in February 2025 and an excessively worn nearside suspension arm bush in April 2026. These recurring faults suggest the front-end assembly is under stress or has been neglected. The coolant leak noted in the most recent test requires immediate pressure testing to determine if the issue is a simple hose or a more significant failure within the water pump or head gasket. Final attention should be paid to the exhaust heat shield, which was noted as insecure during the April 2026 failure. While this is a minor defect, it reflects a general lack of attention to under-body hardware. Given the history of suspension failures, the buyer should check for any signs of uneven tyre wear or steering vibration that would indicate the recent repairs have not rectified the underlying alignment issues.