Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2009-2017 reliability

Bodywork

With so many used Polos around, you can afford to be picky. Avoid anything with obvious signs of crash damage, because poor repair work could lead to future rust issues or potentially compromise safety.

Service history

Avoid cars with an incomplete service history; you need to know whether it’s been looked after and fluid changes have been completed in a timely fashion. Ensure that all of the warning lights on the dash turn off within a few seconds of the engine being started.

Brakes and tyres

Brake discs and front tyres can wear surprisingly quickly, so check the condition of these. Any juddering when you brake suggests worn discs, but a protruding lip on the face of the disc is another clue. Make sure there’s plenty of tyre tread left or factor replacements into the price.

Timing chain or cambelt

If you’re considering a 1.2 petrol model, make sure its timing chain isn’t rattling. All of the other engines use a timing belt that needs changing every four years; so ensure this work has been carried out to schedule.

Air conditioning

Check that the air conditioning system blows cold air. If it doesn't, some of the time it’ll be a simple case of re-gassing the system, but if that doesn’t work, your potential purchase may have a leak that will require inspection.

EA189 diesel engine emissions

The Polo used the EA189 diesel engine that was implicated in the Dieselgate emissions scandal and was subject to a recall to update its software.

Fuel leak

The 1.2-litre diesel engines built between 1 April 2010 and 1 April 2014 were subject to a recall for cracked fuel filters. If the filter develops a crack, fuel will leak out. Contact your local VW dealer to check if the work has been completed.

Airbag

There was an issue with some airbags installed on cars constructed between 1 February 2014 and 2 August 2014, where an incorrect signal from the accelerator sensor used by the system could cause the airbags to deploy. Check with your dealer to find out if your car is affected.

High oil consumption

Some owners of GTI models that use the 1.4 TSI engine have experienced high oil consumption. Regularly check the levels otherwise you may find out that your engine is running low without you knowing it and could lead to engine failure in the future.

Seat backrest

A small number of Polos assembled between 21 April 2015 and 23 April 2015 may have been fitted with seats where the welds on the backrest could fail in an accident. A replacement seat was required to solve the problem.

Child lock failure

The child locks on examples manufactured between 25 November 2015 and 15 April 2016 might disengage without warning and allow occupants to open the rear doors. Dealers fitted a new lock to sort the problem, so check that work has been completed if you think your car is affected.

Towing eye

On Polos built between 29 March 2017 and 20 April 2017, the towing eyes supplied with the tool kit might not be up to specification and could break if used to tow the vehicle. Check with your dealer to see if your car is affected.

Loose camshaft adjuster

The bolts holding the camshaft adjuster in place in the engine can work loose on some examples made between 17 December 2013 and 4 December 2014. Check this with a Volkswagen dealer because if your car is affected, it will need to have the adjuster replaced to prevent any future issues.

1.4 petrol software update

Although not an official recall, some 1.4 petrol models also required a software update earlier in the Polo’s life, so inquire with a VW workshop as to whether this was carried out.

DSG gearbox

The manual gearbox has a better reputation for reliability than the seven-speed DSG automatic. The latter was recalled in some markets, but this didn’t include the UK, despite a notable number of owners reporting problems. Make sure the oil has been changed according to the service schedule.

DPF (diesel particulate filter)

If you tend to do lots of short journeys from cold, opt for a petrol model rather than a diesel one, because the diesel particulate filters can clog up if they don't get regular motorway exercise.

Unfortunately, this generation of Polo wasn’t the most reliable of cars, according to the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey it appeared in.

The Polo came in 18th place out of a class of 28, with owners citing problems with the air conditioning, engine start/stop system and infotainment screen. Rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia and Honda Jazz all did much better.

However, the later-generation 2017-onwards Polo finished in third place in the small car class in our most recent survey, with an excellent overall score of 98.3%.

Volkswagen as a brand finished in 20th place out of 34 manufacturers – this isn’t a fantastic result, although its overall score of 90.5% isn't so bad. It puts the firm below BMW, Honda and Kia but above Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes.

Used Volkswagen Polo reliability: the owners' view

On the whole, owners reported few significant issues. However, when problems did arise, they often related to the electrical system, including fault warning lights and battery failures. These issues were generally resolved efficiently by Volkswagen dealerships, with many readers praising the quick and professional service they received.

Despite the positive dealer interactions, some readers mentioned that repair costs were costly, especially for the older models that are inevitably out of warranty.

Overall, the Polo is seen as a pretty reliable choice, but buyers should be mindful of potential electrical issues and the associated repair costs. The dealer network, however, is consistently lauded for its excellent customer service.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.