2003 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Sluggish, low power

Faults:

I purchased the car second hand in mid August.

In September the power steering went, and the pump was replaced under guarantee.

Since then the rever stay at 10 when the car is not moving, it does not return to 0.

The brakes screech if I brake suddenly. I have since found out, the brake pads need replacing.

Now this evening the EPC light comes on.

I am female and know nothing about cars.

Can the replacement of the power steering pump have caused the rever to stay at 10 instead of returning to 0, and is this the cause of the EPC light coming on?

Any info would be helpful thanks.

General Comments:

It has jerked one two separate occasions.

Sometimes it feels as if it is bouncing.

Relaible, but sluggish coming up a hill, low power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th November, 2007

22nd Nov 2007, 06:11

The polo shares a lot of components with the Skoda Fabia.

You may find the BRISKODA website forums useful as you can search for information by key words eg power steering.

Hope that help you.

27th Oct 2014, 16:57

I know this is an old review, but for anyone else reading that has this problem, it sounds like a coil pack needs changing.

2003 Volkswagen Polo SE FSI 5dr 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Engine would not idle soon after starting and could only be kept running by keeping the revs up. If it cut out it could only be kept going by running with higher revs. Fault would clear itself if left for a while (hour or two) and would seem to have gone away. This happened two or three times before I decided it had to go to my local VW dealer, and they carried out a throttle body clean under warranty, saying this was a common problem on the Polo. Seems OK now.

Exhaust Emission warning lamp came on and stayed on. Engine performance seems impaired and handbook says to take to nearest VW dealer. The previous owner (my father) eventually had a new Nox Sensor fitted under warranty in Apr 2005 after reporting the same (intermittent) fault. Car is now out of warranty, so this could get expensive.

General Comments:

Generally the car drives well and is has a good level of equipment and is well appointed for a small car. Having owned this May 2003 car for only about 4 months, and already having experienced the two reliability issues, I am beginning to become concerned that I may have a rogue 2003 car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th September, 2006

8th Oct 2006, 11:36

8th October 2005

Update on last entry regarding the loss of power. The car went into my local VW dealer after a week or so of driving around with about half power output and about 20mpg. Dealer called me later on the same morning that I had taken it in to say they had replaced No.1 Coil Pack free of charge under warranty, even though the warranty had expired nearly two months previously. Must say I was very surprised / pleased it had been done under warranty, so faith slightly restored in the brand. Watch this space.

2003 Volkswagen Polo FSI Sport 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very nice to drive, but am concerned about problems

Faults:

First fault I experienced was when a warning light came on the dashboard - something to do with emissions (?). Turned out to be a faulty sensor and was replaced under warranty.

Second fault was with one of the rear seat belts which would not operate which was also replaced under warranty.

Third fault was a problem with the Air Con, apparently something to do with the vent control. The dealer picked it up on the service - to be honest (due to the British weather!) I hadn't used the air con for a while and had not noticed. Fixed under warranty.

Fourth fault was a few days ago. Car has been running absolutely fine until one morning whenever the revs dropped (whenever I slowed down at traffic lights, a roundabout or just in traffic) the engine cut out. As I was away on hols, this resulted in my car being transported on a tow truck 90 miles home.

Dealer say it is a build-up of carbon in the 'Throttle Hood' and is normal, and also not covered under the warranty.

I'm a bit surprised (and miffed) that I can experience a fault when car is 2.5 yrs old and has done 35k miles that results in a breakdown and towing and its NOT covered on the warranty.

Car was serviced 2 weeks ago, but they said they don't check this on the service.

I've never come across this fault before on any other car, I would be interested to know if anyone else has (especially someone techy who could tell me if this is reasonable!)

General Comments:

Generally I like the car very much and up until the latest problem I was thinking of trading it in for a new polo gti, but I'm having second thoughts now!

The service I receive from the main dealer can't be faulted, for each problem and for servicing they collect and deliver my car (20 miles) and it comes back valeted!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th May, 2006

5th Jun 2006, 06:59

This is an update to this review...

Got my car back from fixing the throttle body and the next day the Engine Emissions warning light came on. The dealer have advised me not to drive it if possible and it's got to go back to the dealer AGAIN!

13th Aug 2006, 20:23

Okay, so after reading many of the comments posted I am amazed that this car is still in production. No, all of these problems are NOT normal for a "new" car. I purchased a 2003 Polo in Cancun Mexico. Within the first week the entire passenger side floor board became SOAKED with water from a leaky air con. After that, no problems for almost a year. Then suddenly, after the warranty expired, the coating on the steering wheel started to peel off as well as the "plastic" coating on the panel around the air/stereo/cup holder. Next was the driver side window mechanism breaking, later, the things that hold the hatchback open quick working, next, the small plastic piece on the hatchback that is used to loop the "string" for the hatchback cover broke off, next the CD player started "eating" CD's, now within just the last 3 or 4 months, the headliner, I believe it is called is falling and now grazes my head when driving, the dome light button broke and the light wouldn't turn off, the passenger side window mechanism broke, the emissions light comes on every once in awhile and the car shakes then stops, the air conditioner barely cools (and I'm in Cancun!) I think that is about it!...oh, no, one more thing, the cup holder broke! After buying a Jetta in 2000 I was sure I would never buy anything other than a Volkswagen... the Polo has changed all that!