2007 Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Petrol · TF07 FSS

A clear pattern of front suspension wear sits at the centre of this Polo's MOT history, with both front lower arm rear bushes flagged across consecutive annual tests and a fractured offside front coil spring recorded at the 2022 test. The most recent MOT on 27 March 2026 recorded a pass, but the same near and offside front suspension arm bush advisories from 2025 were repeated, alongside perishing on both rear tyres. The earlier 2026 entry on the same date was a failure driven by a cracked offside headlamp lens, an illegible front number plate, and the same nearside lens defect recorded as a minor. Two failures in total have been logged, the second at April 2024 when an exhaust major leak and an out-of-specification lambda reading after second fast idle caused a refuse. While the post-failure retests at the same visits have passed, the recurrence of suspension advisories and the 2022 coil spring break suggest the front end is the area demanding closest physical scrutiny. Against a nineteen-year build date, the recorded 94,314 miles equates to roughly 4,964 miles per year, which is notably low and points to either limited regular use or extended periods of standing. Testing has been conducted annually without gaps from 2022 onwards, so there is no evidence of a multi-year lay-up that would raise concerns about dormant brake fluid degradation, seized calipers, or a deeply discharged 12V battery from inactivity. That said, low annual mileage does not insulate the mechanical components flagged here; the consistent front suspension bushing wear and the fractured coil spring in 2022 indicate the wear being seen is age and condition related rather than purely mileage driven. The 2023 minor for a deteriorated outer CV boot on the nearside front driveshaft is also consistent with rubber ageing on a car of this vintage, regardless of how few miles it has covered. For any prospective buyer, a careful walk-round and under-bonnet inspection should focus first on the front suspension. Listen for clonks or dull thuds from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for vagueness or a slight delay in steering response that can follow from perished rear bushes on the lower arms. Visually inspect both front coil springs for any signs of cracking, corrosion pitting, or sagging, particularly on the offside where one previously fractured, and check that the springs sit squarely in their seats. Examine the lower arm bushes for cracking, splitting, or any visible gap between the bush and its mounting; the MOT advisories indicate they are worn but not yet beyond the failure threshold, so movement can feel acceptable on a smooth test drive while still being technically marginal. Carry out a turn-of-the-wheel check from side to side with the engine running to feel for looseness or knocking transmitted through the steering rack. The remaining flagged items warrant specific checks during a test drive and on the ramp. With the engine warm, listen for any exhaust ticking or blowing sound, particularly at the front pipe and lambda sensor area, and watch for any unresolved smoke at start-up, as the 2024 lambda failure and major exhaust leak are recent enough to be relevant. Inspect both rear tyres for sidewall cracking and perishing, and verify the nearside side repeater lens for discolouration. Examine both headlamp lenses for moisture ingress, internal misting, or cracking, and confirm the front number plate is securely fitted with all characters legible, as these were the direct causes of the 2026 failure. Finally, run the car slowly in tight circles to listen for any clicking or clicking-then-vibration from the nearside front CV joint, given the 2023 deteriorated boot advisory, and check the boot itself for any fresh grease splatter indicating the split has progressed since that inspection.