1997 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · R248 ARL
1997 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 04 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 46,982 miles. MOT valid until 01 Jun 2027. Taxed until 01 Jul 2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN POLO
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 01 Jun 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jul 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 46,982 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.
R248 ARL Key Findings
- 25 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 26/05/2026
- 46,982 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R248 ARL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
25 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Volkswagen Polo (R248 ARL) between July 2006 and May 2026.
The record contains 20 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 26 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 5 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (9 issues), Suspension (8 issues), Tyres (6 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 23 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: “Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)”; “Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)”; “Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”.
R248 ARL Mileage History
- 11/07/200630,507 mi
- 10/07/200733,840 mi+3,333 mi
- 08/07/200835,715 mi+1,875 mi
- 14/07/200937,596 mi+1,881 mi
- 15/07/200937,601 mi+5 mi
- 14/07/201039,489 mi+1,888 mi
- 15/07/201039,489 mi
- 05/07/201140,883 mi+1,394 mi
- 10/07/201241,744 mi+861 mi
- 09/07/201342,407 mi+663 mi
- 09/07/201342,407 mi
- 03/07/201442,844 mi+437 mi
- 18/06/201543,121 mi+277 mi
- 23/06/201643,451 mi+330 mi
- 23/06/201643,451 mi
- 10/07/201744,014 mi+563 mi
- 20/07/201744,015 mi+1 mi
- 17/07/201844,178 mi+163 mi
- 03/06/202045,048 mi+870 mi
- 07/05/202145,257 mi+209 mi
- 12/05/202245,449 mi+192 mi
- 03/05/202345,982 mi+533 mi
- 20/05/202446,153 mi+171 mi
- 06/05/202546,431 mi+278 mi
- 26/05/202646,982 mi+551 mi
Average of roughly 829 miles per year across 25 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: Excellent
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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