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Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid
No Recalls

2006 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · LM56 AAJ

LM56 AAJ

2006 Volkswagen Polo (1.2L, petrol). First registered 27 Dec 2006. Recorded mileage 103,313 miles. MOT valid until 09 Nov 2026. Taxed until 01 Nov 2026. No outstanding manufacturer safety recalls recorded.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
Year / Origin
2006 · Wimbledon (South London)
Safety Recall
None Outstanding
MOT Status
Valid until 09 Nov 2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Nov 2026)
Recorded Mileage
103,313 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.2L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 09 Nov 2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Nov 2026
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2006
Engine
1198cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a maintenance history indicating a trend of deferred repairs. While it passed its most recent November 2025 test at 103,313 miles, this followed a failure just three days prior due to a parking brake efficiency issue. The subsequent pass carried a heavy list of advisories regarding suspension and drivetrain components, including deteriorated CV boots and corroded rear coil springs. This pattern suggests the owner is only performing the minimum work required to pass the MOT test rather than engaging in preventative mechanical maintenance. At 103,313 miles, this twenty-year-old Polo has averaged a low of approximately 5,166 miles per year. The data shows consistent usage, with roughly 7,600 miles driven between November 2023 and November 2024, and another 6,000 miles covered in the final year. While the low mileage generally suggests less wear on the engine, the presence of corroded components and perished rubber parts indicates that the vehicle has suffered from age-related degradation and environmental exposure rather than high-mileage stress. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear suspension and braking system. The tester noted corrosion on both rear coil springs and external damage to the shock absorber casings, which often leads to structural failure or poor handling if ignored. The severely deteriorated offside front outer drive shaft CV boot is a critical concern as it allows grease to escape and will eventually lead to expensive joint failure. Furthermore, the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage has been flagged for play since 2023, indicating this component remains worn and likely requires replacement despite multiple test cycles.
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LM56 AAJ Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 10/11/2025
  • 103,313 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 7 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (10 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data

LM56 AAJ MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 18 Sept 2026, 14:31
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2006 Volkswagen Polo (LM56 AAJ) between November 2023 and November 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 10 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (10 issues), Suspension (8 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 12 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

LM56 AAJ Mileage History

  1. 01/11/202389,746 mi
  2. 01/11/202389,746 mi
  3. 06/11/202497,360 mi+7,614 mi
  4. 07/11/2025103,313 mi+5,953 mi
  5. 10/11/2025103,313 mi

Average of roughly 6,694 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
No Open Safety Recalls

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
75
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
✓ No outstanding recalls
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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
42/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,100-£1,400
Mileage
At 103,313 miles, the mileage is above a...

Our Verdict

Proceed with extreme caution. While the 1.2L engine is generally economical, this specific vehicle shows a recurring pattern of mechanical neglect and multiple advisory items that require immediate attention.

If you are considering this Polo, your first priority should be negotiating the price downwards to account for the list of advisories. Specifically, the near-term requirement for new shock absorbers, coil springs, and a CV boot replacement should be factored into your budget.

Ask the seller for a detailed service history to see if the engine management light issues noted in 2018 and 2020 were ever properly diagnosed and resolved. Given the history of emissions failures and exhaust leaks, a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who can check the integrity of the entire exhaust system and the health of the catalytic converter is highly recommended.

The 1198cc petrol engine is designed for efficiency, typically placing this model in a lower insurance group and a reasonable tax band for a small hatchback. Fuel economy should be decent for urban driving, making it a budget-friendly option for commuters.

However, maintenance costs may be higher than average due to the current state of the suspension and drivetrain. You should budget for upcoming repairs to the anti-roll bar linkages, shock absorbers, and the drive shaft. Estimated annual running costs, including fuel, tax, insurance, and anticipated maintenance, are approximately £1,100-£1,400.

Pay close attention to the underside of the vehicle; the recent MOT history specifically flags corroded rear coil springs and damaged shock absorber casings. You should also inspect the offside front outer drive shaft joint, as the CV boot is reported as severely deteriorated, which can lead to expensive joint failure if not addressed.

Check the effectiveness of the parking brake, as this has failed MOT requirements multiple times in the past. Finally, ensure the engine management light is not illuminated and that the exhaust system does not emit excessive noise or fumes, given the vehicle's history of lambda and CO emissions failures.

This 2006 silver Volkswagen Polo has covered 103,313 miles, which is relatively high for its age. The MOT history reveals a history of emissions issues, parking brake failures, and a recent trend of increasing advisories regarding suspension components, corrosion, and drive shaft boots. It is currently showing signs of deferred maintenance that could lead to higher immediate costs for a new owner.

While the Volkswagen Polo is generally regarded as a sturdy small car, this specific unit has demonstrated inconsistent maintenance patterns regarding its emissions and braking systems.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns