2001 Polo - Buying advice
Discussion
Pretty solid little cars..
I am on my second polo.... (1995 1.6, and now a 2001 GTI)...
They suffer from a weak pedal box that mainly effects the GTI with its heavy clutch, but lower spec models also have been known to fail... if the pedal box snaps you will know about it because the clutch wont work properly...
Check the boot door carefully, the rear washer pipes are known for splitting and leaking which casues corrosion around the handle area... if its split the evidence is very clear...
Other than that... just the normal stuff.... at 74K the cambelt is due if its not been done already... Wont cost too much to get it done!
I really enjoy working on my polo...the parts are available cheaply...I paid £12 for a set of front brake pads! its put together with nuts and bolts, unlike my sisters KA which is held together with plastic clips and rivets...
I am on my second polo.... (1995 1.6, and now a 2001 GTI)...
They suffer from a weak pedal box that mainly effects the GTI with its heavy clutch, but lower spec models also have been known to fail... if the pedal box snaps you will know about it because the clutch wont work properly...
Check the boot door carefully, the rear washer pipes are known for splitting and leaking which casues corrosion around the handle area... if its split the evidence is very clear...
Other than that... just the normal stuff.... at 74K the cambelt is due if its not been done already... Wont cost too much to get it done!
I really enjoy working on my polo...the parts are available cheaply...I paid £12 for a set of front brake pads! its put together with nuts and bolts, unlike my sisters KA which is held together with plastic clips and rivets...
Edited by tegwin on Wednesday 23 December 11:12
hss111 said:
had one of these for a run a round. had problems with the clutch housing. quite costley to fix. electrics went on it as well and had a problem with the brake lights always going out.
Funny you should mention electical issues.... I have replaced the water temp sender on my polo 3 times since I bought it 2 years ago and the brake pedal sensor once.... Its not a massive expense but these things happen..The great thing about that era of VW is... you can buy an OBD11 cable from ebay for about £10... download the software from the web, and are then able to diagnose any electrical fault... I can even change the beep pattern when I lock the car, adjust my headlights and decide how long the interior light should stay on for if I wish...
tegwin said:
hss111 said:
had one of these for a run a round. had problems with the clutch housing. quite costley to fix. electrics went on it as well and had a problem with the brake lights always going out.
Funny you should mention electical issues.... I have replaced the water temp sender on my polo 3 times since I bought it 2 years ago and the brake pedal sensor once.... Its not a massive expense but these things happen..The great thing about that era of VW is... you can buy an OBD11 cable from ebay for about £10... download the software from the web, and are then able to diagnose any electrical fault... I can even change the beep pattern when I lock the car, adjust my headlights and decide how long the interior light should stay on for if I wish...
I've had a few of those shape Polos, as mentioned they are good solid little cars. In many ways better than the model that replaced them. There are several 1.4 engines, the 16V and TDI are the ones to go for, the 8V (60bhp) is a bit weak. Gearboxes seem to be the main common problem area, so give it a good test drive through the gears and check the clutch is OK etc before buying. Be weary of cars with aftermarket modifications.
tegwin said:
hss111 said:
had one of these for a run a round. had problems with the clutch housing. quite costley to fix. electrics went on it as well and had a problem with the brake lights always going out.
Funny you should mention electical issues.... I have replaced the water temp sender on my polo 3 times since I bought it 2 years ago and the brake pedal sensor once.... Its not a massive expense but these things happen..The great thing about that era of VW is... you can buy an OBD11 cable from ebay for about £10... download the software from the web, and are then able to diagnose any electrical fault... I can even change the beep pattern when I lock the car, adjust my headlights and decide how long the interior light should stay on for if I wish...
cheers
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