2005 Volkswagen Polo S 64 1.2 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Simple, reliable and well-built. A great used buy
Faults:
A binding rear brake, which has now been fixed, but that's it.
General Comments:
In my experience, Volkswagens like to be looked after. My Polo is only a 3-cylinder 1.2, and at 100k is by no means a low mileage car. But it has been looked after well, and as a result is possibly the most reliable car I've ever owned.
It was a (genuine!) one lady owned car from new, garaged and with a full service history. The build quality still shines through even now, and the car looks fantastic inside and out - defying its age and mileage.
In first gear, the little petrol 1.2 sometimes feels like it's struggling with the weight of the car it's pulling. But this is more than made up for by feeling surprisingly nippy around towns and at lower speeds. More than I was expecting, actually.
It's pleasant and easy to drive, as opposed to exciting to drive. I find the Polo drives smoothly and without fuss, easily coping with a few long distance motorway journeys as well.
As I mentioned, the build quality is lovely even at 10 years old. I am a volunteer driver for a local charity, and my passengers could not believe the car was as old as it is. Speaking of that, I regularly have three passengers in the car with no problems at all - so that's pleasingly impressive for what is after all a small car.
The 3-cylinder engine can sound a little gruff or rattly every now and then, yet at other times I find myself gliding along in an impressively refined manner, more akin to larger cars.
I'd imagine this is a popular choice amongst young drivers and buyers choosing a first car. There are plenty of Polos around, so my humble opinion would be to choose one that's been well looked after and serviced properly, all its life.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th August, 2015