2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · PE68 THK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a shift from pristine condition to reactive repairs. The most recent test in January 2026 at 37,349 miles passed with an advisory for a damaged offside track rod end ball joint dust cover. This follows a significant failure in January 2025 where multiple mechanical and consumable issues required attention. While the car has cleared its tests, the appearance of faults suggests that maintenance is only addressed once an MOT failure occurs. The mileage profile is notably low for an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,669 miles per year. The record shows consistent usage between 2023 and 2026, where the car covered roughly 20,000 miles in three years. However, the jump of 7,487 miles between the January 2024 and 2025 tests indicates a period of more intensive use. This low-mileage status often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components, as evidenced by the recorded issues rather than wear-and-tear alone. A buyer must prioritize a physical inspection of the tyres and suspension components prior to purchase. The 2025 failure highlighted perishing and cracking on all four tyres, which is a common symptom of vehicles that sit for long periods without being driven frequently. The recurring issues with track rod end dust covers in both 2025 and 2026 indicate that the steering linkage components are beginning to perish or perish. Additionally, since the front brake pads were noted as thin in early 2025, the remaining life of the pads should be verified to ensure they were actually replaced following that failure.