1999 Volkswagen Polo Classic from UK and Ireland - Comments

Strip on the driver's door came loose and was hanging off after only three weeks. I was told that it could take months to replace and finally agreed to let the dealer stick the same strip back on the door again.

Entire ignition unit had to be replaced after one year. It took numerous phonecalls to Volkswagen to accomplish this.

Brakes make a noise regularly just like worn brakes - however, they have been checked and have been passed.

I have just discovered that the two front tyres are wearing on the inside, especially the front right. I am told this has been caused by initial poor tracking and alignment and am currently trying to negotiate with Volkswagen - not easy!

I am constantly reminding passengers to slam the back doors quite hard for the locks to catch. Even so, I have driven the car many times with one or both back doors not closed properly as people are reluctant to slam the car doors as hard as is needed.

The rear view mirror fell off one day when I was driving on the motorway. Pulled in and managed to replace and secure it to its fitting.

I feel very disappointed with this car. I have been left sitting on the roadside for hours at a time when the ignition failed on two occasions.

The after sales service is certainly more imaginary than real in my experience. I am weary of Volkswagen representatives and their uncaring attitude to my difficulties with their product. I will definitely not buy another Volkswagen.

I have a Polo which is less than 3 years old. I bought it privately with 4000 miles on the clock without realising that the previous owner had missed an annual service. I have just had to pay for a brand new engine after 14000 miles. VW still expect me to pay for half of this despite the fact that the lack of one service would not have affected anything (according to two independent mechanics).The engine was obviously faulty.

This is my second Polo: the first needed a new gear box after 23000 miles.

I would certainly not describe them as reliable. The after-sales service is appalling and I will not be buying another one.

Blimey you have had bad luck. I really love the mark 4 polos and want one as my second car. After reading your review I am re thinking the idea, maybe a punto or cavalier instead. Thanx for the info, and good review.

I have a 1997 polo hatchback, its been very reliable so far, but the left side seems to be heavy while turning, the car has power steering. I have checked the air pressure in my tires, and it is perfect.

Has anyone else had the same problem?

And if so, what was actually wrong with it?

About 20 years ago my father had a 30 years old, but very reliable Beetle. My dream was purchasing a brand new VW some day.

At long last I bought new VW Polo Classic 30 month ago in Hungary. I bought that because of the brand name, the nice shape and relatively low price.

...

The following problems had been arisen.

- Gas escaped from the air conditioner. I had to complain a lot to the dealers. After three repairing attempt they finally fixed the problem.

- Both rear electric windows went wrong. Right one was replaced, but I have to pay half price. Here is only one year guarantee for these parts. I fixed the other one myself and noticed that only adjusting problem caused the wrong operation. In addition, the plastic cover of the door was scratched inn the service. Miraculously, I could take apart the other one correctly. They changed that free of charge.

- It is very hard to close the left back door. It is impossible to adjust that properly.

...

Sometimes, I was very angry in the last 30 month, because of these faults, but I still love my car.

My wife is also not perfect, but I love her. I won't divorce her if she get a flu. :)

Polo has good engine and huge boot that was missing in my previous car (Seat Ibiza). The inner design is beautiful. However, I am going to change this car, because of my increasing family. There is not enough space for my children in the back seats any more.

There is a recall on the 1.0 Polo/Lupo/Arosa engine in Europe, seems There is a problem with a too narrow oil pipe in the engine which makes the oil turn into black/grey gum.

Result: total engine failure and a new engine has to be fitted.

Took VW over 4 years to admit this although the problem was know since 1998.

I had the same problem in my 1998 Arosa after 9 months, the dealer told me that several 1.0 engines had the same problem and they would only do something if the whole engine blocks up.

I changed the oil to 100% synthetic and this helped to keep the problem under control (just).

We have just taken a 1999 1.4 Polo back to the private dealer and got a refund (minus £200) because it kept cutting out in low gears. The car had been repaired by a VW dealership a month before we bought it, costing the dealer £400, for the same problem. The garage's attitude when we took it in was nothing short of a disgrace. For a VW dealership they seemed to know very little about their own cars. They had it for two weeks and couldn't identify the problem and then tried to charge us a further £300 in diagnostics.