1996 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · P171 GNE
1996 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1996. Recorded mileage 80,716 miles. MOT expired on 29 Jul 2010.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 29 Jul 2010
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (24 Sept 2010)
- Recorded Mileage
- 80,716 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
P171 GNE Key Findings
- 7 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/07/2009
- 80,716 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P171 GNE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
7 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Volkswagen Polo (P171 GNE) between June 2006 and July 2009.
The record contains 4 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 09 July 2009 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (5 issues), Brakes (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 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: “Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)”; “Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)”; “Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)”.
P171 GNE Mileage History
- 26/06/200667,343 mi
- 27/06/200667,343 mi
- 30/07/200772,436 mi+5,093 mi
- 04/07/200876,611 mi+4,175 mi
- 04/07/200876,611 mi
- 09/07/200980,716 mi+4,105 mi
- 09/07/200980,716 mi
Average of roughly 4,404 miles per year across 7 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volkswagen Volkswagen Polo Mk3 (6N/6N2)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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VOLKSWAGEN POLO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 model year cars.
- Pedal Box Bracket Weld Fracture & Clutch Cable MisalignmentSerious
The spot-welded steel pedal box bracket can flex and crack under repetitive clutch actuation, causing the clutch pedal to drop to the floor or the clutch cable to snap.
- 085 5-Speed Manual Gearbox 5th Gear Whine & Bearing FailureSerious
The lightweight 085 5-speed manual gearbox suffers from premature output shaft bearing wear and 5th gear oil starvation if the transmission fluid level drops even slightly past the selector shaft seal.
- Ignition Coil Pack Moisture Tracking & Distributor Hall Sensor FailureModerate
The single-block ignition coil pack mounted to the bulkhead is prone to micro-cracking in damp UK weather, while earlier distributor-equipped models suffer from failed Hall effect sensors causing sudden engine cutting.
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