2002 Volkswagen Polo SE 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Buy very carefully, would buy another

Faults:

Throttle did not work with EPC and engine management light. 25k miles, after repeat events, solved by cleaning all the gum off the back of the throttle body butterfly valve and resetting using vag com. Now do it every year.

Heating sometimes runs to full hot. Not fixed. Since 30k miles.

Air con does not work. Not fixed. Since 35k miles.

Flashing check engine light and running rough. Ignition coil at fault. 40k miles.

Check engine light due to O2 sensor fault. 45k miles, not fixed.

Alternator failed. 58k miles.

ABS fault light. Fuse on battery cracked. 58k miles.

Inside of tyres wearing fast and poor steering due to worn front wishbone bushes. 61k miles.

Failed ARB roll bar drop link. 63k miles.

General Comments:

Quite sporty when thrashed, and handles well.

49 miles per gallon possible if driven with care.

Comfortable and a nice place to be.

Has been quite robust, despite my best efforts to break it.

Cheap to run, even when it goes wrong, so far.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th August, 2010

2002 Volkswagen Polo S 1.2

Summary:

Awful, avoid at all costs

Faults:

Everything has gone wrong with this car. It has been a total nightmare.

Last week after spending £500 on new injectors, today it broke down. The timing chain has now broken, estimate £400. VW said this chain is a 'common problem'.

The engine management system has been dreadful, and the software reloaded twice.

Please don't buy a 2002 year Polo. The problems were sorted out from 2004 onwards.

Since Xmas I have spent £1500 on the car, and since September the following has been done:

Fuel pump.

Oil line.

Bits of plastic come off the trim inside and on the seats.

02 sensor, heating sensor and air con sensor replaced, but still blows out hot air except on a cold day when it blows out cold.

Suspension t-bone faulty, new parts needed.

Fuel seals cracked and wouldn't reseal.

Cracked injectors with petrol pouring out.

Warning lights flashing on and off for no reason.

Faulty lights and the engine just cutting out for no reason.

The car has been looked after and serviced, but yet again it is off the road for 4 days.

Please avoid.

General Comments:

Unreliable, badly built and not up to VW's older excellent standards.

Crap engine management system.

Expensive to run and maintain.

Awful, car which cost £5800.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th May, 2010

12th May 2010, 07:21

Sorry to say, I've owned Audi and VW products for 20 years, but no longer. If you think that your car is not up to previous standards, I'm afraid to inform you that this is exactly up to standard.

As far as your flashing warning lights, it is probably the ground connections. This is just another designed in VW condition.

2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.4

Summary:

Wouldn't buy another VW Polo, it feels as though my car was a Friday afternoon job

Faults:

Had to have a new catalyst fitted.

Needed a new fan belt.

Broken window seal, which caused the whole back passenger floor to become wet when it rained, and needed a new carpet fitted.

Most recently the suspension spring snapped and the catalyst light is flashing again, which I'm having investigated.

General Comments:

Since buying the Polo brand new in 2002, I have had endless problems each year.

After I've fixed one problem, it's not long before another light is flashing on the dashboard to say something else needs fixing, mainly it's the EPC light.

Luckily I have friends in the trade who can fix it for me cheaper than the dealers would, otherwise it would cost me an absolute fortune. I would have traded the Polo in for something more reliable, but my trust in cars is very low and whose to say I won't have the same problems with another car?

When it's working the car is lovely to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th January, 2009

21st Feb 2009, 16:05

I too have a 1.4SE 52 plate polo and I am experiencing many of the same problems, it never seems to go a week without some warning light or problem recently.

Latest is a squeaking noise, which I am informed is the anti roll bar and although not dangerous I am told it will need to be replaced before the MOT in September or it will fail. My independent VW garage tells me this is a design fault and they no longer use this in their cars, though it is going to cost me £160+vat to repair!

On top of that my central locking is playing up yet again, already replaced drivers door lock less than 2 years ago, then a few months later back passenger door went same way and now the other two locks are playing up and are both permanently locked at the moment. When they do decide to work they often don't lock - don't know which is worse! I am told to get the locks fixed when they are open will cost me £120+ vat each and if they are locked £160+vat, also told these would fail at MOT if not fixed.

On top of that is the famous EPC/engine light which never seems to go a week without being lit, luckily only once have I noticed a changing in my driving, which I took it to my local independent garage (have fallen out with my VW dealership after their attitude - but at least my independent is a lot cheaper) and it was an ignition coil @ approx £80 to change. He has told me ignore the lights unless I actually notice a difference in driving, as he has seen himself how they come on and off when they please.

I am now at the end of my tether and ready to change to another make and would never recommend a VW to anyone.

At least reading this forum I realise I am far from alone with my VW problems.

AK Manchester.