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Hatchback

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

POLO

Pricey, but it deserves its classy reputation

Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2002 - 2005

At more than 10 years old, this shape Polo is cheap to buy now and shouldn't cost much to run.

Spares are reasonably priced and servicing will be, too, provided you steer away from main dealers and their sky-high labour bills. All models need servicing annually or every 12,000 miles, which is par for the course, and the What Car? Reliability Index, compiled by Warranty Direct, says repairs on Polos are reasonably priced.

Insurance and fuel economy are fine, too. The 55bhp 1.2 slips into insurance group 5 and everything else is group 13 or less, except for the 128bhp 1.9 turbodiesel, which is group 17.

All manage 40mpg with ease and the diesels promise 50mpg on a long, gentle run. Bear in mind, though, that the 1.4 FSI petrol needs to be filled with super unleaded to run smoothly.

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Pricey, but it deserves its classy reputation

Our choice is the mid-trim S model with the 65bhp 1.2 engine, but don't bother with the 55bhp 1.2 because that's a bit slow. The more powerful model is most commonly teamed with the entry E trim, which has only central locking and a CD player.

Instead, track down a car with S trim, which adds air-con, electric windows and door mirrors. Or, for more go, move up to the 1.4 petrols (standard and FSI, bearing in mind the latter engine's appetite for super-unleaded).

Alternatively, there are four diesels: two versions of a 1.4 giving 70bhp and 80bhp, and two 1.9s offering 100bhp or 128bhp. Of these, the 80bhp 1.4 and the 100bhp 1.9 are strong and frugal, but the entry 1.4 is weak and the more powerful 1.9 is totally unsuited to the Polo's 'don't rush me' road manners.

The top-end trim levels are SE and Sport. The first adds remote central locking, alloy wheels and an alarm, while the Sport also has stiffer suspension, but you can get everything that's great about the Polo in one of the cheaper trims, so there's little point in spending any extra.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

The Polo may have an upmarket image, but according to the JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey, the reality is a little different. Owners love the reliability of the Polo's rivals such as the Toyota Yaris, but the VW struggles. True, it's nowhere near the worst in class but owners register a fair few gripes, mostly concerning the suspension and engine.

Look at the What Car Reliability Index and the story's similar: the Polo gets only average ratings. Gearbox, clutch and driveshaft faults show up as problems, along with axle and suspension faults and electrical glitches.

Gearboxes on older Polos are a known source of trouble and it seems that the problem has passed to the newer generation.

Otherwise, the 1.4 petrol can suffer with ECU trouble (which is difficult and expensive to fix) and too many cars have needed new dampers early on.

Bear in mind that any warning lights on the dashboard will result in an MoT test failure, so walk away from any cars with such faults and try to find a car with plenty of time left on its MoT certificate.

Finally, water leaks into the cabin also plagued a few cars from new, but we'd expect those to have been cured by now.

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The Polo feels very grown-up for a little car, but it's more about comfort than fun. Road and wind noise are largely shut out and the ride is cushy, for example, but it lurches through quick corners.

Inside, there's enough space for four adults, but the accommodation isn't class-leading. At least the boot is sizeable, although it has a high lip, which is a pain to lift heavy loads over.

While we're talking about pain, in the cheapest models the seat height is fixed (it's too high for some) and the seats are generally soft but fail to give all-round support. At least the steering adjusts for reach and height.

Twin airbags are standard and the Polo gained four stars out of five from Euro NCAP for protecting its occupants in a crash. However, its one star of a possible four for pedestrian protection is poor.

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Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2002 - 2005 reliability

Complete the 2024 What Car? Reliability survey >>

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/16ebb403e3a6&rdt=2

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Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2002 - 2005 review

The Polo may have an upmarket image, but according to the JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey, the reality is a little different. Owners love the reliability of the Polo's rivals such as the Toyota Yaris, but the VW struggles. True, it's nowhere near the worst in class but owners register a fair few gripes, mostly concerning the suspension and engine.,Look at the What Car Reliability Index and the story's similar: the Polo gets only average ratings. Gearbox, clutch and driveshaft faults show up as problems, along with axle and suspension faults and electrical glitches.,Gearboxes on older Polos are a known source of trouble and it seems that the problem has passed to the newer generation.Otherwise, the 1.4 petrol can suffer with ECU trouble (which is difficult and expensive to fix) and too many cars have needed new dampers early on.Bear in mind that any warning lights on the dashboard will result in an MoT test failure, so walk away from any cars with such faults and try to find a car with plenty of time left on its MoT certificate.,,Finally, water leaks into the cabin also plagued a few cars from new, but we'd expect those to have been cured by now. 

What to look for when buying a Volkswagen Polo 2002 - 2005, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2002 - 2005 reliability

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