What's wrong with a VW Polo?

[ifIwerenotanandroid]

I noticed a thread about buying cars on which several people said not to get the Polo. Why? I'm thinking of trying some used Polos, Sport & GTI. Any opinions on them/ experience with them?

Same as @Dodie66
Really reliable cars, have had several VWs including a Polo and they've all been top cars. Fiesta v Polo; no contest. Would never have another Ford, too much bother.

@RatWife I have a 2000 Golf too

Love it, only done 118k as in recent years only goes to station / work / school but it is totally solid, comfortable, useful size and I feel so loyal to it! Never let me down.

I've had 2 Polos and don't think either actually broke down in several years driving.
Boot a bit small though but otherwise a sound little car. Newest one was a 13 plate so can't comment on newer than that.

My very first car, in the 80's was a polo...Marco...he was a fantastic car and I was sad to get rid of him when needed bigger family car
Now dcs are grown up and left home , I'm thinking of trading in my old and batteredVolvo estate for a nippy , not so little anymore, Polo

I have a 2013 (from new) Polo. Bought it when I started my first “proper” job.

Absolutely love it. No bother with it- 1 change of tyres, new brake pads but that’s literally it.

I’ll be gutted when I sell it- we’re planning on 1 more dc and I’d never get three car seats across the back. But I wouldn’t hesitate in getting another once circumstances allow!

Nothing wrong with a Polo. Brilliant smallish car. We're now on our second.

DP has a 14 plate automatic. She loves it.

I've always known it's rep to come from being an old mans car.
Not that it would bother me, aren't they economical unless you get the powerful ones.

I had an older one and hated it. Clutch heavy, gearstick clunky, very slow off the mark and offset pedals meant my accelerator foot was practically in the passenger footwell (LHD). On the upside it lasted a lot of years without major expense.

Another vote for the polo, had mine 12 years 👌

I just did a lot of research while trying to buy a small car OP and was very tempted by a polo. What put me off was - not very rated on Which. Their consumer survey suggests that polos are very reliable for the first three years then quickly go downhill. Also have a higher breakdown rate than other cars. They're also more expensive than others cars in the same league and have more expensive parts to replace

My first car was an A reg Polo. Loved it! Great quality... but VW can be pricey because of the reputation. Have you considered Kia? Great build quality & excellent value. Rio would be a similar size to a Polo. Cee'd is like a Golf.

Fine, as long as you have an endless-limitless supply of pencil coils and a decent level of break down cover

I've always known it's rep to come from being an old mans car.

My first car was a dark blue Rover 25. Now THAT'S an old man's car. All it was missing was a tartan blanket on the back seat

Get one. They are great cars. No idea why some think they are unreliable, guess they've just had a rare bad one. I'd rather have any vw over a Ford (fucked on rainy days). Definitely better than any French car too.

Don't get a diesel though. I did have issues with the particulate filter clogging up repeatedly.

I love VWs and would (and do) always buy them.

But I also second the PP who suggests a Kia - they are amazing and if new come with a seven year warranty which is incredible.

DP is an automotive engineer ( gear box/engine specialist) he says current ( 8 years) all VW group engines ( Bentley, Audi, VW, Skoda and Seat) have an intrinsic problem with them, he told me to change my golf as the head gasket was going which I did then our other work golf the head gasket went on. Small economical car he would go for Kia and Vauxhall Corsa. He drives an Insignia and has me in a BMW.
In his job he sees the inside of a lot engine factories and the design drawings.

I had a Polo, up until about 3 years ago. It was ok, nothing special. VWs can be more expensive for parts than some other brands, but not too extortionate.

I don't think there is much between cars these days, as manufacturing is so standardised and the safety features are so demanding that you end up with remarkably similar cars, just with different manufacturers badges on them.

Issues with the DPF will be based on your driving needs. If you don't often do long journeys (30mins or so) then it will clog up.

Sometimes you get a dodgy car but usually it's a car being sold to an unknowing driver or the driver not doing the research

Yep. If you're doing lots of short journeys the filter clogs. You can avoid it by doing some longer journeys or driving with low gear/high revs for a fairly long period of time (garage told us 45 mins) which burns off the deposits. As long as you don't ignore it as it's an expensive problem to fix.

Thanks for all the replies.

I test drove the used Polo GTI but its good points were wiped out by a problem with the gearbox: all the gears were fine & direct except 2nd. Going from 1st to 2nd felt like stirring porridge & produced crunchy noises. The salesman could drive it without the noises but I couldn't.

I looked it up tonight & it's cited as a problem on a Polo forum.

I agree that VW's can be great. We've had 4 fantastic Golfs.