1997 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · P497 EJB
1997 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Jan 1997. Recorded mileage 104,454 miles. MOT expired on 07 Aug 2010. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 07 Aug 2010
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 104,454 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.
P497 EJB Key Findings
- 7 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 07/08/2009
- 104,454 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (11 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P497 EJB 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 1997 Volkswagen Polo (P497 EJB) between March 2006 and August 2009.
The record contains 4 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 07 August 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: Brakes (11 issues), Lighting (8 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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 Inner Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)”; “Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)”; “Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)”.
P497 EJB Mileage History
- 07/03/200683,322 mi
- 31/03/200790,823 mi+7,501 mi
- 13/04/200790,836 mi+13 mi
- 07/08/200899,125 mi+8,289 mi
- 08/08/200899,125 mi
- 06/08/2009104,454 mi+5,329 mi
- 07/08/2009104,454 mi
Average of roughly 6,180 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 1997 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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