Used Volkswagen Polo Hatchback 2009-2017 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Volkswagen Polo?

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.

Is a used Volkswagen Polo reliable?

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.