2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Diesel · RO62 LDU

The most recent MOT on 25 August 2026 recorded a pass, but it carried three advisories – a minor oil leak, and corrosion on both the front and rear sub‑frames that is not yet deemed structurally weakening. Over the last three years the vehicle has shown a mixed pattern: two outright failures in August 2025 (including a tampered diesel particulate filter, rear‑brake imbalance and a faulty parking‑brake on one side) and a failure in August 2026 for a split CV‑boot, rear‑brake imbalance and excessive parking‑brake play. The intervening passes in 2024 and 2022 were clean of major defects. This suggests that while some remedial work has been carried out, underlying issues – particularly corrosion, brake balance and drivetrain wear – are recurring and the maintenance trend is currently stabilising only after recent corrective actions. At 158 002 miles the Polo averages roughly 11 300 miles per year, which sits squarely within the typical UK usage for a vehicle of its age. There are no obvious large mileage gaps that would indicate long periods of storage, but the relatively steady annual accumulation means that wear items such as suspension bushes, bushings, ball joints and brake components are likely approaching the end of their service lives. The mileage also implies that the original timing chain and associated tensioner have been in service for well over a decade, so a timing‑chain inspection or replacement may be prudent if any rattling is heard on cold start‑up. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the sub‑frame corrosion noted on both ends. Although classified as non‑critical, corrosion can progress to affect mounting points for the suspension and steering knuckles, leading to clunking noises over bumps or uneven tyre wear. Inspect the lower sill and rear sub‑frame for any flaking paint, rust pitting or loosened bolts, and listen for any metallic creaks when applying steering input or braking. The CV‑boot split on the nearside front drive shaft should be examined for grease leakage or dirt ingress; a compromised boot often leads to joint wear that manifests as clicking or vibration at higher speeds. The rear‑brake imbalance recorded on two separate occasions warrants a thorough check of the rear disc surfaces, caliper piston movement and pad wear – uneven braking can cause the car to pull to one side under hard stop and accelerate disc wear. The parking‑brake lever with excessive play should be adjusted or rebuilt, as a loose lever can reduce holding force and cause the vehicle to roll when parked on a gradient. In addition to the recurring items, age‑related checks are essential. Verify the condition of the tyres – sidewalls should be free of cracking, bulges or excessive tread loss, especially since the front tyres were flagged as close to the legal limit in 2024; even if the tread is acceptable now, rubber over fourteen years old can become brittle. Test the 12 V battery voltage and consider a load test, as prolonged standing periods can lead to sulphation and reduced cranking power. Examine all fluid levels – engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and especially the diesel particulate filter system – because time‑based degradation can cause sludge formation and reduced emissions performance. Finally, request the service history and look for evidence of regular oil changes, brake fluid flushes and any timing‑chain or suspension component replacements; a well‑documented service record will mitigate many of the concerns raised by the MOT entries.