2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · LM09 RBO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the recent MOT history indicates a trend of deferred front-end maintenance. In the most recent test on 11 May 2026 at 78,141 miles, the car failed initially due to multiple perished and damaged dust boots. While it passed immediately after repairs, the tester flagged persistent issues with track rod ends, anti-roll bar linkages, and suspension arm ball joints. This suggests the owner only addresses mechanical components once they trigger an MOT failure rather than performing proactive preventative maintenance. At 17 years old, the recorded mileage of 78,141 miles represents a low average of approximately 4,600 miles per year. This low usage profile often leads to age degradation of rubber components rather than mechanical wear, which is evident in the record. The gap between the May 2024 test at 74,648 miles and the May 2025 test at 76,248 miles shows consistent annual usage, yet the 2025 advisory regarding perishing tyres confirms that the rubber is drying and cracking due to age despite the low tread depth. A buyer should conduct a close physical inspection of the front suspension assembly to ensure all ball joints were replaced and not merely cleaned. The recurring failure of dust covers on track rod ends and anti-roll bar links suggests the entire assembly is nearing the end of its service life. Attention must also be paid to the central exhaust mounting, as the 2026 record identifies corroded clamps and a defective mounting that will eventually lead to exhaust rattle and structural failure if not monitored.