2015 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good car, maybe the 1.4 TDI engine is too weak

Faults:

The dealer says it is fine - I think there is a clutch/stop-start fault

General Comments:

I am sure this car has a fault despite the dealer telling me otherwise! I have not owned a new car or diesel before, so maybe it IS me, but changing from first to second gear at about 1800 RPM, the car has about a 1/10 chance of simply 'cutting out'. I am definitely not stalling the car, it just cuts out - and it frequently still does this with the dumb stop start system turned off (and it seems to frequently reactivate itself). This system where the car simply coasts to a (almost) stop... and then restarts itself is dangerous! On hills and with cars up my backside, something definitely seems wrong. I have been driving for over 20 years, and if this is how the system is, I am going to return the car.

Apart from that, the car seems pretty reliable. It's fairly quiet at 70mph for such a small engine, and it's extremely economical.

Another, probably modern thing, that annoys me intensely is the endless beeping it makes if I am sitting in the car with the ignition on but not running, with the door open... I know this is minor - but all these things can start to be extremely irritating.

The car definitely seems well built though, and I can't really fault the running gear and suchlike - maybe it's just the diesel engine with what seems a defective stop start which is truly dreadful. I have had this car for enough time now, and it still 'stalls' or cuts out every trip.

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

Review Date: 28th June, 2015

28th Jun 2015, 23:40

1800 RPM is too low to be changing from first to second.

29th Jun 2015, 23:48

It sounds like there is something wrong to be fair. While your car with that engine will never set the world on fire with only 74bhp, it does have 154.9 lb ft of torque to shove you along, so you shouldn't have cars up your backside on hills!!

If it was me, I'd complain direct to VW customer service if the dealer is saying everything's OK. Or trade it in for a slightly older Polo 1.4 DSG GTi with the 180 BHP supercharged/turbo'd 1.4 petrol... then you'll never have cars queuing behind you and not have to worry about changing gear... that's what I'd do!! :)