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Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid
Outstanding Recall

2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4L Petrol · RV09 AXJ

RV09 AXJ

2009 Volkswagen Polo (1.4L, petrol). First registered 02 Mar 2009. Recorded mileage 73,043 miles. MOT valid until 17 May 2027. Taxed until 01 Mar 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
Year / Origin
2009 · Reading
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Valid until 17 May 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Mar 2027)
Recorded Mileage
73,043 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.4L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.

MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 17 May 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Mar 2027
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2009
Engine
1400cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

A relatively clean roadworthiness profile defines this vehicle, despite a singular failure recorded in May 2025. This failure involved an ABS warning lamp indicating a fault and a dangerous defect regarding a structural tear in the offside rear tyre. Since those issues were rectified, the vehicle has maintained a clean record, with the most recent test on 18 May 2026 resulting in a pass with no defects. The overall trend suggests that once identified, specific mechanical and safety faults have been addressed, returning the car to a state that meets current MOT standards. The recorded mileage of 73,043 miles over a seventeen-year period represents a low annual usage rate of approximately 4,297 miles. While this indicates the vehicle has been driven significantly less than the UK average, such low-intensity usage can sometimes lead to components being subjected to more stationary time than regular driving would allow. From a mechanical standpoint, this pattern means that while drivetrain and engine wear from high mileage may be limited, other components like rubber seals, suspension bushes, and various hoses may have aged more through time and environmental exposure than through physical friction. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the electronic braking systems following the recorded ABS fault in 2025. During a test drive, it is essential to monitor the dashboard for any illuminated warning lights and to ensure the brake pedal feel remains consistent without any unusual pulsation or vibration. While the ABS fault was cleared, verifying that the system engages correctly during low-speed manoeuvres and heavy braking is a necessary step to ensure the sensor or control unit is functioning reliably. Regarding the tyre failure, although the offside rear tyre was replaced to resolve the structural separation, the buyer should inspect the remaining tyres for signs of age-related cracking or uneven wear patterns. Given the low annual mileage, it is advisable to check the tread depth and sidewall integrity across all four wheels. Additionally, because the vehicle has been driven sparingly, a thorough inspection of the suspension components for any signs of perished rubber or seized linkages is recommended to ensure that the low-mileage usage has not resulted in age-related degradation of the chassis components.

RV09 AXJ Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 18/05/2026
  • 73,043 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
65
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: 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.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
✗ 1 dangerous defects found recently
! Older vehicle
✗ Outstanding recall notice
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for RV09AXJ

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Stolen
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Finance
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Write-off
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Salvage
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Imported
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Exported
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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V5C Logbook
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Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
Recall Notice Outstanding

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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RV09 AXJ Mileage History

  1. 09/05/202364,339 mi
  2. 23/04/202466,685 mi+2,346 mi
  3. 06/05/202568,542 mi+1,857 mi
  4. 06/05/202568,542 mi
  5. 18/05/202673,043 mi+4,501 mi

Average of roughly 2,876 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

RV09 AXJ MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 7 Sept 2026, 14:36
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2009 Volkswagen Polo (RV09 AXJ) between May 2023 and May 2026.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 18 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (1 issue), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
62/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,200
Mileage
At 73,043 miles over approximately 17 ye...

Our Verdict

This 2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 petrol is

Request evidence of the ABS repair carried out after the May 2025 failure, including any diagnostic reports or invoices from the garage. The ABS system on a 2009 Polo can develop faults due to worn wheel speed sensors or wiring corrosion, so a thorough scan with a diagnostic tool is sensible before committing. Check the condition of all four tyres, not just the offside rear that failed, as tyres of inconsistent age or brand may suggest neglect. Confirm the service history independently and look for cambelt replacement evidence, as the 1.4 engine typically requires this around every 4-5 years. Negotiate based on the ABS history and any tyre replacement costs you identify during inspection.

The 1.4 petrol Polo typically returns around 40-47 mpg combined depending on driving style, making it reasonably economical for a small hatchback. Road tax for a 2009 petrol Polo of this engine size falls into a modest bracket, though exact costs depend on the specific CO2 figure. Insurance is usually affordable, generally sitting in groups 5-7, keeping premiums manageable for most buyers. Typical annual maintenance tends to be low-cost, though parts like ABS sensors, brake components, and clutches can add up over time. Estimated annual running cost: £900-£1,200.

Start by checking the ABS system thoroughly using a diagnostic reader to confirm no warning lights or stored faults remain following the 2025 issue. Inspect tyres closely for uneven wear, cracks, or age-related deterioration, particularly on the offside rear which had a structural failure. Examine the brake system comprehensively, including discs, pads, and flexible hoses, as the ABS fault could have been linked to broader braking concerns. On the 1.4 engine, listen for timing chain rattle on cold start and check for oil leaks around the cam chain area. Verify all warning lights illuminate correctly on ignition and extinguish promptly, and confirm the mileage is consistent with the MOT records showing 73,043 miles.

This black 2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 petrol has covered 73,043 miles across four recorded MOT tests since 2023, with three passes and one failure. The single failure in May 2025 related to an ABS warning lamp and a torn offside rear tyre, though the vehicle passed a retest on the same day. Mileage of 73,043 against a model average of 6,004 miles per year suggests roughly 12 years of use, though the annual rate appears modest. The overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% for this model sits as a useful benchmark for comparison.

The Volkswagen Polo has an MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 671,964 analysed vehicles, placing it broadly in line with the small hatchback segment average. Common failure points include tyres, engine MIL issues, and ball joint wear, which are typical age-related concerns rather than fundamental design flaws.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns

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