Faults:

I bought a 02 Volkswagen Polo in July 2007.

I only had it about 2 weeks when the EPC light started coming on the dashboard causing the car to lose power and stop. I returned it to my dealer 4 times in the first 6 months with the same problem; each time I got it back I was assured the problem was fixed, but it was always sure to happen again.

In January of this year the problem reoccurred yet again. I decided to call a local Volkswagen dealer; I explained the issue and they advised me that it would be 6 to 8 weeks before they could even look at it. I thought this strange, but proceeded to another mechanic who cleaned some filters.

The problem was resolved, but of course a number of weeks later it happened again. At this stage I had had enough. I went online and was horrified to learn what I did. I learned that there is a fault in the 02 computer system and that this is a common issue. It advised on the website that to resolve it, to disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the computer system. I started to do this and it worked, I was glad as it wasn't too much of a inconvenience, it had to be done on average of twice a week.

Only in this past few days that has failed to work, I have now had to get taxis to work. I am disgusted as I recently tried to contact my dealer but to no success, I have now been told by a mechanic that my car needs a new computer system. I am in the middle of paying for my car loan, it's my first car, I have reported it often enough to my dealer, but have constantly been fobbed off.

Faults:

Today at 48000 miles - drivers door lock jammed. Needs to be replaced, but won't match the ignition.

48000 miles. Intermittent electrical fault, causing the dash back-lighting to flash on and off by itself. Doesn't seem to affect the engine, but you can't see the speedo at night. Tried pulling fuses out and replacing them in case of a bad connection, and this might have fixed it.

Anti-role bar failure. The design is poor, so it can shift sideways and doesn't run in its bearings properly, making a creaking noise. This damages the bar and it has to be replaced. About 39000 miles.

Coil pack failure again, around 35000 miles.

Internal trim on seats where they fold forward fell apart. About 30000 miles.

Coil pack failure - only 2 of the three cylinders running, but made it to the garage to be fixed at about 25000 miles.

Brake failure due to some part of the rear drum falling apart about 22000 miles. Had it fixed, but shortly afterwards the hand brake failed totally and needed fixing. Garage said it's a poor design, with a wedge shaped piece which doesn't fit in very well.

Rear light cluster fell out at about 20,000 miles - no obvious reason, hadn't reversed into anything.

General Comments:

I bought this VW because my last Polo was 14 years old, and I really liked the old car.

This car has been very unreliable.

The build quality of this car is very low. Internal trim and the rear lights just fall off.

The car is only 5 years old, but is now having the type of faults my previous one got after 12-13 years.

The repair costs and time wasted are too great. I will never buy another VW.