2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · ST09 HWN

A pattern of escalating rear-corrosion advisories combined with significant front suspension wear and an exhaust failure defines the mechanical trajectory of this 2009 Volkswagen Polo. The most recent test on 24 November 2025 was a pass, yet it documented corrosion on the rear coil spring alongside subframe corrosion not yet considered serious, indicating that structural deterioration is now an active process. The previous test a year earlier flagged perishing on both rear tyres, but the more telling event was the failure recorded on 5 December 2024, where a dangerous nearside front lower suspension arm rear bush was identified as likely to detach, accompanied by a central exhaust clamp leak and an excessively worn anti-roll bar ball joint. The 2023 test had already warned of wear in that same rear bush, showing that the issue was known and progressing before it ultimately resulted in a dangerous classification. Overall the trend is one of worsening condition at the rear of the vehicle and accumulating wear at the front, rather than stable roadworthiness. At 35,691 miles over approximately seventeen years, this Polo has averaged only around 2,100 miles annually, which is notably low for a car of its vintage and suggests either light genuine use or extended periods of inactivity. The MOT intervals are consistently annual with no multi-year testing gaps recorded, implying the vehicle has remained on the road throughout, though the unusually low accumulation between tests, particularly the gap between 2022 and 2023, hints at short-trip or occasional-use patterns. From a mechanical standpoint, this mileage profile typically preserves the engine internals and clutch from heavy wear, but it can be unkind to items that degrade with age rather than use: rubber components, coil springs, exhaust mounting clamps, and underbody steel all suffer from standing in a damp climate regardless of how few miles are travelled. The advisories recorded here align precisely with that age-related deterioration pattern. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the components the MOT history has flagged. The nearside front lower suspension arm rear bush warrants close attention, as it progressed from an advisory in 2023 to a dangerous defect in 2024; listen for clonks or knocking over uneven road surfaces, particularly from the front nearside wheel, and feel for vagueness or shimmy through the steering under braking. The anti-roll bar ball joint should be checked by rocking the wheel at three and nine o'clock for any play, and the linkage should be inspected for perished or cracked boots. Because the rear coil spring has now been recorded as corroded, request that the vehicle be placed on a ramp to examine both rear springs for surface pitting, and examine the rear subframe mounting points for any flaking or bubbling paint that might indicate corrosion deeper than the tester could see. Test the exhaust by listening for escaping gas sounds at idle, particularly near the central joint where the clamp previously leaked, and check that the rear silencer and its heat shield remain secure given the 2023 advisory. During the road test, pay particular attention to how the car behaves over bumps at low speed, where worn suspension bushes typically manifest as secondary thuds or a harsh, crashy ride, and listen for any exhaust drone or ticking that changes with engine speed as this may indicate a failing joint or loose mounting. Inspect all four tyres for cracking in the sidewalls and between the tread blocks, as the rear pair were flagged for perishing in consecutive tests and ageing tyres on a low-mileage car are particularly susceptible to this even with adequate tread depth. Finally, examine the underside comprehensively for any new corrosion on the subframe, floor pans, and suspension components not previously recorded, as the advisory trend suggests these areas are actively deteriorating and a thorough evaluation now could prevent costly structural repairs later.