VW POLO 1.4 petrol Match 5dr Auto 2008 purchase advice

[tony-er8kp]

All,

I am really interested in the below car it is a: Volkswagen Polo 1.4 petrol Match 5dr Auto 2008


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Could you please kindly advise what i need to look out for when going to buy the car, so far i have:

1. Engine tapping noise
2. Gear box shifting smoothly

Is there any other crucial elements i need to look out for when going to view and test drive the car please?

[bearman68]

Advice - yeah, don't do it. Too old for it to be reliable, and not old enough for it to be disposable

[tony-er8kp]

bearman68 said:

Advice - yeah, don't do it. Too old for it to be reliable, and not old enough for it to be disposable

Really the car hasn't had any issues and belts been changed? your saying its wont be reliable for another 5yrs?

[bearman68]

Erm, that's exactly what I'm saying. Hopefully very loudly and stridently.

Don't get me wrong, it's prob a lovely drive, and the nicest interior of them all, but as a good long term cheap car, no chance. (Well OK, very little chance)

[Condi]

It might be reliable, there is nothing to inherently suggest it will be unreliable, but at 3500 its not disposable money and you'd be forced to spend the cash to fix it.

Go for something older, for 1500 quid or so and if it really breaks then you can justify scrapping it.

Go for something newer and you shouldn't need to spend money on it.

At that age/price its neither one nor the other and at 10 years old you're starting to get the age when you 'could' get some big bills.

[tony-er8kp]

Ok... but if i went to see the car as its been very well maintained... what are the pointers to look out for?

Are there any common problems?

[Clyde_05]

A mate was looking at these recently. He commented that there are known issues with the gearboxes and opted for something else instead. Google it you should see plenty of threads.

[tony-er8kp]

Can provide me a thread link please, cannot find any?

[va1o]

I wouldn't bother with that. It's an ancient engine and gearbox combination and you're paying a lot for it. There are better cars out there for the money, and that's coming from a die hard VW fan!

[tony-er8kp]

Can you give me some examples please like which cars?

[va1o]

tony-er8kp said:

Can you give me some examples please like which cars?

Probably a Yaris or something Japanese. This was the first to come on Autotrader for me but theres loads on there https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[bearman68]

va1o said:

tony-er8kp said:

Can you give me some examples please like which cars?

Probably a Yaris or something Japanese. This was the first to come on Autotrader for me but theres loads on there https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Oooh yes, we all love a good Yaris. Had loads of these (4 I think), and they are all so reliable. Such sweet engines, and they do mega miles, and are pretty decent on fuel

[A900ss]

My parents have one of these. They’ve had it abiut 8 years and it’s needed nothing other than normal maintenance. My father complains about the MPG it delivers (I don’t know what it actually gets) but likes it in all other regards.

I do struggle to see that a 10 year old Polo is worth that much though.

Good luck either way.

[tony-er8kp]

Nice one all.

[shtu]

Thing is, small autos always fetch strong money, it's a type of car that there's not a huge supply of. That's not massively overpriced tbh.

That particular one? Sure it's shiny, but they've been neglecting the mechanicals a bit,

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

Several multi-year advisories, and a historic trail of "brakes knackered" faults over the years.