1998 Volkswagen Polo review from Australia and New Zealand

I bought the car in December 2001. While it was manufactured in 1998 it wasn't registered or on the road until Feb 1999. So when I got it it was only effectively three years old. And the guy I bought it from had it in absolutely immaculate condition. It's warranty expired in Feb 2002. Six weeks after that the exhaust system clapped out. Thankfully the dealer agreed to fix it under warranty. Four months later the thermostat broke, but the dealer wouldn't cover that and it cost a fortune. Two months after that the timing belt went, this also cost a motza. Then the car got recalled because of a problem with the brakes Just before I sold in May 2003 it started falling out of gear as I accelerated in second of fourth gear.

For so many things to go wrong with a car that had been well looked after is wrong. Sure, I just got a lemon. But the problems, combined with the incredibly rude service by every Volkswagen dealer and service representative I dealt with, means I'll never buy another one.