2017 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · LL67 EYH

A pattern of advisories targeting the rear braking system and front suspension linkage emerges from the MOT history of this 2017 Volkswagen Polo, with the most recent test on 26 September 2025 passing but flagging wear to the offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush alongside a minor issue with insecure sound deadening material. The rear brake discs and pads were first noted as worn in October 2023, with pitted or scored surfaces and thinning pad material on both sides, and although no further brake advisories have been issued since, the progression of disc wear over a two-year interval warrants attention given the relatively modest annual mileage. A failure recorded on 4 November 2022 for ineffective wiper blades and incorrect headlamp aim on the offside was rectified at the same date, and the vehicle has subsequently maintained a clean pass record with no repeat issues on those items. Overall the trend points toward a stable roadworthy condition with isolated wear patterns rather than systemic deterioration, though the front suspension bush advisory is the most recent mechanical concern and should be investigated promptly. With 51,351 miles accumulated over approximately nine years, this Polo has covered around 5,700 miles per year, a notably low usage profile that places it below the typical annual mileage for a car of its age and likely class. Low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components and can preserve interior condition, but it also raises questions about whether the vehicle has experienced extended periods of standing or short, infrequent trips that accelerate specific forms of degradation. Brake discs are particularly susceptible to corrosion and pitting when a vehicle is used lightly, as surface rust is not regularly cleaned away by sustained braking, which may explain the pitted rear discs noted in 2023. Conversely, suspension components and rubber bushes can deteriorate through age-related perishing rather than mileage, which is a relevant consideration for a nine-year-old car with limited use, and may account for the front arm bush wear flagged at the latest test. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are the front suspension components and rear brake condition. The advisory for the offside front lower suspension arm bush should prompt a physical check underneath the vehicle for any splitting, cracking, or excessive play in the bush itself, and on a test drive particular attention should be paid to clunks or knocks from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven surfaces, as well as any vagueness or imprecise feel through the steering wheel on cornering. The rear brakes, last flagged in 2023 for pitted discs and thin pads on both sides, are likely to have progressed further and should be inspected for disc lip measurement, pad remaining thickness, and any evidence of brake judder or vibration under firm pedal application. The nearside rear tyre also showed slight damage or perishing in 2023 and warrants a visual check for sidewall cracking or bulging, particularly given the age of the rubber. A road test should include a thorough check of the lighting and wiper functions, given the 2022 failure for headlamp aim and wiper effectiveness, ensuring both wiper blades clear the screen without smearing and that headlamp beam patterns are correctly aligned with a flat, horizontal cut-off and no scatter. Listen for any suspension noise over varying road surfaces, test the steering for any pull to one side or knocking through the rack, and verify that the brakes respond firmly without dragging, pulsing, or requiring excessive pedal travel. Given the low annual mileage, it is also sensible to confirm the timing belt or cam belt replacement interval has been observed, as age-based service items rather than mileage-based ones become the dominant maintenance concern for lightly used vehicles of this vintage.