2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · SD62 HPL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy having passed its most recent MOT in March 2025 at 106,889 miles with no defects. However, the history reveals a trend of reactive maintenance rather than proactive care. While the most recent result is clean, the preceding failure in March 2025 flagged a serious fluid leak on the offside rear shock absorber and an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm bush. This suggests that the owner tends to address mechanical faults only when they reach a point of failure rather than replacing components during the advisory stage. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,600 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between July 2021 at 66,304 miles and March 2022 at 67,980 miles, indicating the car sat stationary for nearly eight months. Since then, the mileage has increased significantly, covering nearly 40,000 miles in just under four years. This recent surge in usage correlates with the increased wear observed on rubber components and braking hardware seen in the later test results. A buyer should closely inspect the front suspension assembly, as the nearside front arm bush has appeared as a recurring issue between 2022 and 2025. The offside rear shock absorber also required replacement due to a serious leak, so the remaining dampers should be checked for signs of weeping or premature failure. The record of an oil leak noted in 2024 and a major exhaust flex pipe leak in 2023 necessitates a thorough check of the engine seals and exhaust manifold to ensure these repairs have held effectively. Given the history of pitted brake discs in 2021, the current thickness and surface condition of the rotors should also be verified in person.