2003 Volkswagen Polo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Volkswagen Polo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Volkswagen Polo than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  15.2% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Headlight aim2× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  13.3% All 2003 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.3%, against 6.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Sidelights1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  11.9% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 5.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  7.5% All 2003 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Polo

  10.4% All 2003 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2003 Volkswagen Polo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Volkswagen Polo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  46% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  38% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2003 Volkswagen Polo

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain stretch (1.2 petrol, 2002–05)

  1.2 petrol, 2002 to 2005

  The early 1.2’s timing chain stretches, making it run lumpily and rattle, and it can snap.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattling at a cold start and for lumpy running.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

• Fire-risk and brake recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered fuel pump cover bolts (cars built March to Aug 2004), seats that could catch fire (built May 2005 to Feb 2007), heated seat wiring and a brake servo pipe that could crack.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

• Broken cambelt tensioner (1.4 and 1.6 petrol)

  1.4 and 1.6 petrol

  The plastic cambelt tensioner can break.

  At the viewing: Ask when the cambelt and tensioner were last changed.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

• Coils and EGR valves

  Petrol

  Failing ignition coils and EGR valves cause misfires, hard starting and a lumpy idle.

  At the viewing: Listen for misfires and check the engine light goes out.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

• Rust in the front arches and windscreen base

  All engines

  The arch liners rub through the front wheel arches, and rust forms under the windscreen seal.

  At the viewing: Look inside the front arches and along the bottom of the windscreen.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

• Window and instrument faults

  All engines

  Electric window faults are common, and bad solder in the instrument cluster causes random warning lights and a faulty fuel gauge.

  At the viewing: Try every window and watch the gauges.

  Source: Haynes: how to buy a VW Polo Mk4 (2002-2009)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Volkswagen Polo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing chain been replaced, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Polo as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?