2000 Volkswagen Polo Match 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Solid first VW

Faults:

Lots, but it did have huge mileage;

CV joints.

Exhaust rear and center.

Headlight switch failed.

Rust at the end of its life, strangely happened suddenly, in its last couple of years, was a solid car up till that point with no advisory.

There was probably more than I can remember, but it was my first car and I had it for a long time.

General Comments:

First car in bright silver, I liked my X reg Polo enough to keep it nearly 17 years. Match is a silly special edition that was not very well equipped, but at least it was not base level. Smart looking.

1.4 was slow but at least it was economical. Fun to drive, handled very sharp. Ride was a little rough and bouncy on some roads. Surprisingly cheap to run for a VW, most of the repairs were lower costing, insurance was higher to begin with when I was younger obviously though.

Hatch/boot was useless, no space whatsoever, tiny. Only buy a car this small if you live alone and do not carry much. Up front was OK, and good visibility and easy parking with this car.

A very good first car, I really liked it. Since moved on to a Corsa, hope it is as good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2022

2000 Volkswagen Polo SE 1.4i 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Brilliant car, a dream to drive and would recommend to everyone

Faults:

RE: Cutting out at roundabouts, corners etc.

I just wanted to say that we had this problem, and like most people, thought it was the throttle body. Took it to the garage and he agreed. When we went to collect it, it turned out that it wasn't the throttle body after all, it was actually the immobiliser that was immobilising the car periodically. He reset the immobiliser for us, and the problem has never returned. It cost us £41.00, but that included resetting the immobiliser and cleaning the throttle body anyway. The mechanic did say that generally it is a throttle body problem when you encounter these problems, but it can be the immobiliser, although it's not common.

Also, sometimes the car won't start, and all you hear is a "click", but all lights come on. If you jump start her, she'll run for anything between 4 days and 4 weeks, but if you bump start her, she'll only run for that day?! Had a diagnostic done, and the only fault that came back was the immobiliser, so must be mechanical. Also, had the fuel filter/system cleaned out, and all sensors cleaned, air filter checked, battery drained and checked and voltage, starter motor checked, alternator checked, coil pack checked, glow plugs checked, ignition barrel checked, and he checked that the frequency on the key was correct, which it was. Nothing flagging up though. Thinking it might be something as simple as a loose wire/earth. She's going into garage this week, so will let you know how we get on.

She's away to get a new timing belt, as she's just hit the 60,000 miles and a full service.

General Comments:

Even though we've had these issues, the one thing I really like is that she always gets me home, even when something is wrong, and that's a blessing in my eyes. Nothing worse than being stuck in the back of beyond with a non starting car!

She drives like a dream, and she sticks to the road like no other car I have ever had.

She's comfortable and luxurious on the inside, and she's just as attractive on the outside!

So cheap to run, and get great miles to her as well. If I fill up the tank (roughly £40.00), I usually get between 380/400 miles.

Parts are cheap and easy to get hold of, and it's in a cheap tax bracket.

I love my Polo, and despite the issues, I would never be without her. Like any car, you are going to encounter some problems, and the Polo is just the same, but totally worth it in so many different ways.

My next car will be VW, and I'll probably stick to that for the rest of my life!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2011