2002 Volkswagen Polo E review from UK and Ireland

At 18, it was a big decision to decide to go out and buy my first own car which would be financed through a monthly payment scheme with the dealer/company I finally chose. I only wanted a small car which was reliable, easy to drive and comfortable. However there were SO many choices - a Peugeot 206, Nissan Micra, Citroen Saxo and Ford Fiesta where the front runners. For me though, I had always loved the Polo and knew friends who had owned one without problems, also taking into account Volkswagen was a company renowned for quality and reliability.

Off I trotted in April then and bought my first car - a Volkswagen Polo E 52 model with one previous owner in excellent condition except for one minor dent. The dealer included a major servicing looking for any problems - there was none. Weeks passed and after a month I was over the moon with my Polo - I knew I'd chosen the right car for me.

After just a month I drove an hour and a half to visit and take my gran out for the day. On leaving her house a warning light came on. I was worried. Why this, when the car had just had a big 'check'? I consulted the manual to find it was the Exhaust Emissions Warning Light, and phoned the garage the next morning and booked the car in for the following week. The the light dissapeared - I took it in anyway. They did a diagnostic check and seemed unsure as to what was wrong. I returned. 'All sorted - we've changed a few things by recall'. Excellent. No more worries - I drove away happy. Six miles down the road and it was on again and all the way back to the garage I went. 'All sorted this time - changed the ignition coil and made another few 'recalls'.' Recalls? Why all these recalls??? Touch wood, the problem has not returned.

The only other problem I have experienced is brake rubbing - the disks are black and refuse to clean themselves no matter how much driving I do.

OK, I know I have only had the car six months and really only had one problem. But why did I have that problem when they had supposedly already given it a 'thorough service'?

I'll be honest, I do love the car- it's comfortable and nice to drive. I just hope in the coming years I own it I will not be made a victim of repeated 'electrical' problems. The car recieves its first MOT this month and runs out of warranty - meaning I'll foot any future bills.

The main thing that has frustrated me about Volkswagen is their dealership. When I returned a second time with the problem I was forced to take out a courtesy car which I had to pay for. Should they not be free as at most garages? They are at Subaru. Also, I was promised mats in the deal front and back - I ended up having to pay for them.