Faults:

Small water leak on the rear door.

General Comments:

The 1.9TDI engine gives the car a good turn of speed when needed.

The sport model has the sports suspension package and it makes a difference to handling.

The interior seems to have its fair share of rattles.

Overall the car gives a feeling of strength, which is a bonus on a small hatchback.

Faults:

Air-conditioning recycle unit malfunctioned.

Thermostat malfunctioned.

Rattle in dashboard.

General Comments:

The moment I bought this car I was in love with it. There is nothing that can be said about German engineering other than the fact that it is nothing less than near perfection.

Other than the problems mentioned above, which I promptly had fixed, the car has performed fantastically. The air-con recycle function problem while having been extremely annoying (the same problem occurred in my friend’s polo), I was told that this problem occurs because the mechanism that operates the flap did not reset correctly at the proper location so continued to remain open even when I tried to activate it. The mechanism was replaced and I have not had a problem since.

The thermostat problem also occurred in my friend's polo also. But this was quickly fixed by replacing the thermostat and no problems have occurred since.

The rattle in the dashboard was also willingly replaced. In Australia Volkswagen advertise that their vehicles do not rattle so they didn't have a problem fixing the issue, even if it seemed a minor point.

I get great fuel economy, especially on those long drives and I am very happy with the vehicle, in fact I am preparing to buy the new Polo Match. This model is now manufactured in either South Africa or China, I can’t remember which one now, but hopefully there will be no degradation in the quality of the manufacturing process that I have come to expect from Volkswagen.

If the new one is anything like the one I have I would seriously recommend a Polo to anyone!!

Faults:

Steering pulled badly to the left.

Rear windows dropped.

Bad wind noise on both front doors\widows. Manufacturer says this is a fault which is common on this model - no solution yet available.

Wrong bushes fitted on front wheels resulting in creaking and knocking on suspension and steering still not 100% accurate. Manufacturer advises this fault exists on this model of Polo - no date yet as to when new bushes and tools will be available to remedy situation.

Seat cover stitching split.

Electric window switches do not work as they should.

General Comments:

The engine performance and fuel consumption is good.

Surprisingly quick car for a diesel if driven intelligently.

Not a car just for women!

Standard of manufacture on essential body parts, however, is bad and very troubling.

Car is only 10 months old, has spent a lot of time back at the dealer and has given problems since day one.

It is a good looking, good performance car being ruined by bad manufacturing.

Good points are spacious interior, comfort, well designed, good looking, good gearbox.