2016 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · MF66 FNK

A pattern of recurring brake wear and front suspension deterioration sits at the centre of this Volkswagen Polo's MOT record, with two dangerous and several major defects flagged across the testing history. The 2024 test produced a dangerous failure for nearside rear inner brake pads worn below 1.5 mm, alongside major defects on both rear brake discs recorded as significantly and obviously worn, and the 2026 attempt repeated the dangerous category with a nearside front brake pad incorrectly mounted. Major defects were also recorded on both front suspension arm pins or bushes for excessive wear at the same 2026 test, which passed the following day with only a deteriorated registration plate advisory. Earlier advisories from 2022 and 2023 had progressively flagged thinning front and rear brake pads, pitted and scored brake discs on both axles, and multiple tyres worn close to the legal limit or on the edge. The cumulative picture is one of a braking and suspension system that has consumed components quickly, with front-end geometry now presenting a flagged wear issue. Recorded mileage of 84,264 miles over a ten-year span equates to roughly 8,400 miles annually, which sits within typical usage parameters for a car of this age and gives no indication of prolonged standing or unusually heavy motorway use. Annual test entries are consistently populated, with no multi-year gaps that would point to an off-road period, and mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than abrupt. From a mechanical standpoint, this level of accumulation is sufficient to bring consumable braking components and suspension joints into their natural replacement cycle, and the recorded advisories are consistent with that expectation rather than premature wear for the mileage covered. The 2026 brake pad mounting failure is the one outcome that sits outside ordinary wear and warrants closer physical inspection. A prospective buyer should concentrate the test drive on the braking and front suspension items the record has repeatedly highlighted. With front suspension arm bushes flagged as excessively worn on both sides at the most recent attempt, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or judder through the steering wheel during cornering. On the brake side, a stationary check should verify that the nearside front caliper and pad carriers are correctly seated, as an incorrectly mounted pad is typically the result of a retaining clip or pin missing or improperly fitted. During the road test, expect a firm pedal with no sponginess, listen for any binding or scraping from the rear brakes given the heavily worn discs recorded in 2024, and confirm straight-line stability without pulling to either side. The advisory history around tyres should also inform a physical inspection, as edge wear was noted on both front tyres in 2022 and on the nearside front and offside rear in 2024. This pattern can point to alignment geometry drifting as suspension joints wear, so check all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear and verify the spare or replacement set for similar patterns. The coolant leak advisory recorded in 2025 should be confirmed as resolved, as an active leak on the 1.0 or 1.2 TSI units fitted to this generation of Polo commonly originates from the thermostat housing, water pump, or cooler pipes, and any fresh staining or low coolant level on inspection would require prompt attention. Beyond these flagged items, the registration plate deterioration is cosmetic and does not affect roadworthiness, but the buyer should ensure it is replaced to avoid future test refusal.