Considering A Used Volkswagen Polo? Read This Guide
The Volkswagen Polo is a practical used car buy with a premium feel
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The Volkswagen Polo one of the few cars in the supermini class with a true upmarket feel. Even a used Polo looks just as much at home on the gravel driveway of a country house as it does in a supermarket car park. It’s free of the ‘budget’ stigma that usually goes with secondhand cars.
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A lot of that quality image comes courtesy of the VW badge on the nose. The rest comes from the Polo’s classy, understated looks and top-notch interior. Engines are modern, too, and fuel economy is good.
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Of course, the Polo is no hidden gem. It’s desired by many, so it’s always held on its value well, so used Polo prices tend to be high. You pay for the privilege of driving such a classy car, but if you see it as offering the same package as a new Polo for so much less, it looks a very attractive used buy.
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History
The fifth-generation Polo was launched as a five-door hatchback in 2009, while the three-door version appeared a bit later. The first petrol engines offered were the 1.2-litre in 44 and 51 kW versions, as well as a larger 63 kW 1.4-litre. There was also a 1.6-litre TDI diesel with 55 or 66 kW. A more economical BlueMotion 1.2-litre TDI diesel was launched in 2010, in 55 and 77 kW forms.
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At the same time, for those who craved driving fun over economy, a 132 kW Polo GTI arrived with a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine. In 2011, the SE model was replaced by the Match and a sporty-looking R-Line model debuted in 2012. From October that year, an efficient Polo GT was launched, with a powerful 102 kW 1.4-litre engine.
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Which is the best VW Polo for me?
The 1.2-litre engine is adequate for short trips but feels a little stretched on longer journeys, so we recommend either a 1.4-litre petrol or one of the diesels if you make frequent highway runs. The three-door is a more stylish-looking car than the five-door, but it’s less practical as a family car and therefore in lower demand on the market.
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Avoid the S models, which have a limited amount of standard equipment, and go for an SE or above to gain air-conditioning. It’s worth checking to see if any car you’re looking at has a service plan, as if routine maintenance has been paid for in advance, this can be transferred to you, the next owner.
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If you’re looking at carrying young children, it’s important to note that the front passenger airbag can only be deactivated on certain versions. It’s worth checking if it can on the car you’re looking at.
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Running costs, maintenance & parts
A used Polo will have been serviced based on either a fixed-interval or variable schedule. The fixed-interval plan involves a service every year or 15,000 km, while the variable schedule allows for up to 30,000 km or two years between appointments. Once the car is three years old, cars revert to a fixed-price service plan. Servicing at Volkswagen dealers is generally affordable compared to some of the other German brands.
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A cambelt change every four years is needed on every engine apart from the 1.2-litre petrol. The brake fluid is initially changed when the car is three years old, then every two years after that. The air-conditioning refrigerant will need draining and re-filling every two years.
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No model of Polo is disastrously thirsty, with even the 1.4-litre GTI managing 20 km/litre. The best blend of performance and economy comes from the 1.4-litre GT, which can achieve 26 km/l, but this can vary depending on how the car is driven. The 1.2-litre TSI petrol can average 22 km/l and still has 78 kW at its disposal.
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Diesels are economical, with even the most powerful achieving 28 km/l. Economy champion is the 1.2-litre BlueMotion TDI, which manages 34 km/l.
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Verdict
The Polo is, without a doubt, an excellent car. It still has the classiness and depth of engineering of its predecessors, but is a lot more fun to drive and somehow more youthful in its appeal. Not for nothing was it voted Car of the Year by the world’s motoring press in 2010.
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It’s a little disappointing to report, though, that not all owners have been completely satisfied with their Polos. Good scores for running costs were offset by lower ratings for comfort and performance when this Polo was surveyed in our Driver Power customer satisfaction report of 2012.
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Still, comfort and performance are often subject to opinion and personal expectations, and if you try a Polo, you might find it perfect for you. With values remaining strong, there’s no sign of buyers losing interest.
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Article sourced from https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/
