2015 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · SF15 KBB

The 2015 Volkswagen Polo holds a valid MOT pass dated 7 January 2026 at 67,994 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The vehicle failed the day before on 6 January 2026 at 67,992 miles with a cluster of mechanical defects that point to deferred upkeep rather than a single isolated issue. The tester flagged play in both front steering rack inner joints, a rough nearside front wheel bearing, a major exhaust leak on the nearside rear, and excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar bushes. The pass certificate issued the following day confirms these items were rectified, yet the pattern of multiple simultaneous failures suggests the car had been running with deteriorating suspension, steering, and exhaust components for some time before the January 2026 test. The recurring advisory on both front tyres wearing to the legal limit and on the edges further reinforces that basic consumable maintenance was not kept current. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. Between the February 2024 pass at 53,653 miles and the January 2025 pass at 61,079 miles, the car covered 7,426 miles in roughly eleven months, a rate broadly in line with typical annual use for an eleven-year-old vehicle. The jump from 61,079 miles in January 2025 to 67,994 miles by January 2026 represents approximately 6,915 miles over twelve months, again unremarkable for the age and type of car. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record. The mileage data is clean and supports the conclusion that this has been a regularly used car rather than one left standing for long periods. A buyer inspecting this Polo in person should focus on the front suspension and steering components that have already drawn repeated attention. The inner track rod ends and nearside front wheel bearing were both flagged in the January 2026 failure, so any clunking from the front end during a low-speed turn or a humming noise at road speed would indicate these items have not been properly replaced or have already worn again. The nearside front anti-roll bar bush was excessively worn at the same test, and the offside was noted as worn but not yet excessive, so both sides deserve close visual inspection for deterioration. The major exhaust leak on the nearside rear also warrants attention. A buyer should check the exhaust system for fresh welding, replacement sections, or signs of soot staining that could indicate a temporary repair rather than a lasting fix. The Lambda reading failure on the first January 2026 attempt suggests a catalytic converter or sensor issue that may have been addressed with a new sensor rather than a deeper investigation into exhaust efficiency. Underneath the car, look for corrosion on the subframe, suspension mounting points, and along the exhaust system, as salt exposure over eleven years can compromise structural integrity even on a relatively low-mileage example. The rear brake discs were noted as worn and pitted in February 2024, so their current condition should be checked, particularly if the car has covered nearly 15,000 miles since that advisory was first raised.