2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · LP18 FDV

The 2018 Volkswagen Polo presents a broadly stable mechanical picture at its most recent MOT on 12 September 2025, passing at 77,517 miles. The maintenance trend is neither sharply worsening nor fully resolving, with a recurring pattern of minor advisories persisting across multiple tests. The most recent test flagged a slightly loose nearside headlight, a repeater light source fault on the offside, light oil misting on both front shock absorbers, and a nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit. These are not critical failures, but the repeated suspension and lighting advisories suggest the car has not been kept in meticulous condition. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for an eight-year-old supermini. Between the 2021 test at 35,728 miles and the 2025 test at 77,517 miles, the car covered roughly 41,789 miles over four years, averaging around 10,447 miles annually. The annual increments between tests range from approximately 6,300 to 14,300 miles, with no sudden spikes or suspiciously long dormant periods. The recorded mileage aligns with typical suburban or mixed-use driving, and there are no glaring odometer anomalies in the data provided. The recurring fault that demands closest attention is the oil misting on both front shock absorbers, noted in both the 2024 and 2025 tests. Light misting indicates the damper seals are beginning to weep, which can progress to reduced damping performance and uneven tyre wear if left unaddressed. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension inspected for play in the top mounts, deterioration of the bump stops, and condition of the coil springs. The repeated tyre wear advisories, particularly on the nearside front, point to possible tracking misalignment or worn suspension bushes that are allowing uneven contact patch loading. Beyond the suspension, the intermittent repeater light faults and loose headlight mounting are minor but worth verifying in person, as water ingress into light units can cause corrosion and intermittent electrical faults over time. The 2021 advisory on worn front brake pads has not recurred, though a physical inspection of disc thickness and pad material remains prudent at this mileage. There are no recorded corrosion or structural advisories in the history, which is encouraging for a car of this age, but an underbody check for surface rust on subframes, brake lines, and exhaust mounting points is still advisable before purchase.