2016 Volkswagen Polo 1.0L Petrol · SN66 NXW

The 2016 Volkswagen Polo holds a valid MOT issued on 10 November 2025 at 90,809 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The vehicle failed its prior test just three days earlier on 7 November 2025 at 90,805 miles, presenting four distinct defects including a worn lower suspension arm bush and two tyres worn to the legal limit. The tester also flagged light oil misting on both front shock absorbers and corrosion to the exhaust system during that failure, and both shock absorber advisories carried over into the subsequent pass. This pattern of recurring suspension and exhaust defects, combined with tyre wear appearing repeatedly across multiple tests, suggests the car has not been receiving consistent preventative maintenance. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 9,081 miles per year. The record shows a notable jump of approximately 14,816 miles between the October 2024 test at 75,989 miles and the November 2025 test at 90,805 miles, indicating heavier recent use. The 2023 and 2022 tests at 67,269 and 54,982 miles respectively show a steadier annual accumulation before that acceleration. The gap between October 2024 and November 2025 is also the longest interval between recorded tests at nearly thirteen months, which is unusual given the annual testing requirement and may indicate a period of reduced use or a lapsed certificate. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and damping components. The repeated advisories for light oil misting on both front shock absorbers across two consecutive tests in November 2025 suggest the units are weeping fluid, which will eventually compromise damping performance. The worn lower suspension arm bush flagged in the November 2025 failure also warrants close examination, as excessive play in that bush affects steering precision and tyre wear. The exhaust system has drawn corrosion advisories in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, so the buyer should check the full system for perforation, particularly around joints and the rear box. Tyre condition has been a recurring theme, with nearside rear and nearside front tyres worn to the legal limit in 2025 and the nearside rear again flagged in 2024, pointing to possible alignment issues or neglect of rotation intervals. The offside rear binding brake noted in 2022 did not recur, but a road test should still verify that all four brakes release freely and the car tracks straight under braking.