2002 Volkswagen Polo E from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

A really good review this one, but I have one question. Your car has had binding brakes, several recalls, and two visits to fix ignition problems in just 20,000 miles and you still think this is a "well made", "quality" car? Doesn't sound like it, to be honest.

A relative of mine has a late mk4 Golf which has covered just 27,000 miles, and has had two central locking faults, two broken glovebox lids, an ABS problem, a misaligned electric window and a leaking sunroof. And yet he moans that my Focus, despite having covered three times this mileage without a single fault to its name (and being treated half as caringly, being a company car) "lacks quality". Always makes me chuckle, that one.

Are VW dealers putting any weird substances in their coffee?? ;-)

Hi. OK perhaps (but I hope not!) they are putting something in the coffee, and I was I admit now maybe a little generous with my scoring! The Polo is a nice little car, but I agree Volkswagen need to sort out their dealership service, and electrical problems. Since buying, I have heard this is a common problem, the scariest being the engine cuts out whilst driving. That scares me - and if it does happen, I won't hesitate to sell. I clearly didin't do my research enough, and wish I had found this website before buying.

The car is fun, and I have found the build quality good, and no other problems. OK, sort out these fairly 'big' problems and the VW Polo will probably become one of the best, if not THE best small car in its class. I think it is time for VW to review performance, perhaps they are now slipping from their reliability / excellent faultless build quality, where nearly every VW could be trusted. Please VW, don't start the build 'em cheap stack 'em high stance!

I suppose everyone likes cars for different reasons- but I have to admit after all your friends problems their comments are amusing.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review.

Thank you for your comments. I am just buying my first car at 18 and was lucky to come across this page. I was considering a 2002 Polo.

Oh No, don't buy a 2002 one...nothing, but trouble...

Don't you see all the negative reviews here?

Read mine...called= A disgrace and rip off, a shame for VW who hides the problem.

You'll get further if you buy a bike then a VW 2002 Polo.

We're about to sell it back to the garage... and I really hope they will use it for spare parts and not sell it to anyone else... being in the garage 14 times in nearly 4 years is a hell.

RE: REVIEW FROM 10th Apr 2006.

What rubbish! I've had an 02 plate polo for 2-years now with not one single fault. Just because you bought a lemon doesn't mean you have to try put someone off. I would recommend the car and I can't think of a better small car in the Polo's price range.

"OK, sort out these fairly 'big' problems and the VW Polo will probably become one of the best, if not THE best small car in its class"

There is no way that this would be the best car in its class. Have you considered the Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz. These cars may be driven by elderly drivers, but at least they are reliable!