2018 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · RV18 LWS

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive rather than proactive care. The most recent test in February 2026 at 64,439 miles passed with only a minor advisory for oil misting on front shock absorbers. While the immediate faults were cleared, the failure in February 2025 due to a track rod end dust cover and worn brake components indicates that the owner only addressed mechanical issues once they reached the point of legal non-compliance. The mileage progression is consistent with an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,000 miles per year. Between the March 2023 test at 33,682 miles and the February 2026 test at 64,439 miles, the car covered roughly 30,000 miles. This steady usage rate explains the wear observed on consumables like brake discs and tyres, as there is no evidence of long periods of stagnation that would cause age-related degradation beyond the annual testing intervals. A buyer should focus their inspection on the front braking system, as the record shows recurring issues. The front brake discs were flagged as worn and lipped in both 2024 and 2025, and the rear brakes were noted as grabbing in 2024. The recent light misting on the front shock absorbers in 2026 suggests these are beginning to seal failure, which will require monitoring in the near future. Additionally, the track rod end should be checked for play to ensure the repair made after the 2025 failure was thorough and not merely a temporary fix.