2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · RO09 VBD

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a trend of reactive rather than proactive preventative care. While the most recent test in March 2026 at 158,561 miles passed, the tester flagged an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and showing uneven edge wear. This specific issue appeared in the March 2025 test at 155,640 miles, suggesting a persistent alignment problem or suspension wear that the owner ignored for over a year. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,300 miles per year. Between March 2023 and March 2024, the car covered 7,618 miles, followed by 7,262 miles in the year between 2024 and 2025, and finally 2,921 miles between the 2025 and the most recent test. This steady usage suggests the car is driven regularly, which generally benefits the seals and mechanical components compared to a vehicle that sits for long periods. A buyer should inspect the front-end geometry specifically to address the recurring edge wear on the offside front tyre, which often points to worn control arm bushes, tie rod ends, or a collapsed strut mount. The oil leak noted in 2023 should be re-examined in person to ensure it has not worsened from a minor seep to a significant leak cover gasket or crank seal failure. Given the multiple bulb failures recorded in 2024, a thorough check of the wiring loom and sockets is advisable to ensure no corrosion is causing the bulbs to fail prematurely.