1987 Volkswagen Polo C review from UK and Ireland

New fuel tank at 125000 due to leak from bad design.

Rear brakes rebuilt due to leak 125000.

Seat's changed from base Polo to Polo C (so I could have headrests) and seat covers added due to seat wear being uncomfortable.

New fuel pump 120000 due to o ring breaking and causing leak.

A few little things, easily replaced with parts available from scrap yards.

Stopped driving this car for a while due to clutch about to go.

I got the Polo off my girlfriend when she bought a new car and I knew at the time that the clutch was well worn, and the gearbox bearing's are very noisy.

I have now owned 3 1litre cars and of all of them the Polo has been the fastest, it has a good amount of torque and will generally leave bigger cars behind.

Handling is unbelievably good for a car of its size, even in the wet my Polo corners like its on rails and will let you get away with a lot!

Although a few things have gone wrong with this car it has never not started! The body work is not in great condition, (due to my girlfriend and her sister owning it before me) and the engine has seen some abuse, I found out my girlfriend had done 16,000 miles without a service (service intervals are supposed to be 5,000) and I have to admit although I have serviced the car and maintained it better I have also driven it harder. Having said this the car and engine have stood up to this use, at 131,000 it never gives a puff of smoke even on a cold morning.

The parts I have had to replace have all been easily available and have been very cheap, even the more expensive parts are available for less money than going to VW direct, i.e. the fuel tank I bought was £63, and I know with these new parts on it will be the last time I have to worry about them.

Now the clutch has finally started to give up I have switched cars until I have the spare cash to replace it (about £100-150) and then I hope to see many more happy hours of motoring from my little VW.