26th Nov 2006, 06:23

Polo problems continued...

Dear all.

I've had similar problems with my wife's 2000 1.4S. Engine cutting out needed an engine speed sensor replacing - done under the warranty with the car (bought from an independent dealer) but it took several visits before it was completely sorted.

The pedal box was replaced foc by the dealer as I managed to get it to them before the car was 6 years old. So if yours in less than 6 years old, take it back and insist on it being done without charge.

Today the ABS warning light has come on and I see you guys have had the same problem. The car is out of warranty - has anyone an idea of what the problem may be and what the cost is likely to be?

Many thanks.

14th Dec 2006, 16:38

Yes just 2001 (49mpg in book really means 40mpg).Just 41kmiles pedal box on my son's Polo breaks due to poor welding) not what I expected having grown up to, if everything was as reliable as a Volkswagen. Maybe I stick with Japanese cars in future. His 106 with 106kmiles half the problems and 42mpg

18th Apr 2007, 12:01

I have a Y reg '01 1.4 SE polo, the guy at the dealer I bought it from was a wealth of VW knowledge having previously worked for them. The car had the same crunching prob going in to gear which was easily solved with some adjustment to the selector, however the pedal box is a known fault and should be replaced FOC by Volkswagen. He suggested to push the point or complain if the dealer refuses.

I now have a whirring/scraping noise under load associated to clutch/gearbox and goes with engine speed. I'm hoping it's just a bearing at the clutch end somewhere, anyone else have the same??

To be continued...

19th Apr 2007, 06:35

Who would I complain to if the dealership refuses to replace my cracked pedal box f.o.c on my y registration polo match?

13th Jul 2007, 02:43

Wish I had seen this site beforehand.

W Reg Polo, had clutch plate replaced at 63k miles. 2 weeks later broke down by roadside, pedal box seam /weld split.

Now noise in 5th gear and starting to make noise in other gears, probably bearings going, new gearbox maybe soon.

Each time gone back to same AA approved garage, roadside recovery by AA. They are aware of pedal box problem, but not that Polo's have clutch, pedal box and gearbox weaknesses.

22nd Aug 2007, 17:27

Could anyone advise me? I bought my Polo new in March 2004 and have done only 30,000 miles driving it mainly in London. It's now out of warranty and Volkswagen dealership told me that both the clutch and the gearbox need replacing and this will cost close to £2,000. Sadly, the garage where I bought it are showing no goodwill to make a contribution to these costs. So at present, I am in a bit of a dilemma, and will now consider appealing to the manufacturers directly as I feel that the car is just over 3.5 months to have so much go wrong with it.I would appreciate any advice and assistance this forum can give me.

23rd Aug 2007, 07:27

Why do they need replacing? If it is not driver error (flood damage, abuse, poor maintenance) and the car has a full VW service history, then contact VW directly and state that a car of this mileage and age should not require this work, and that you require a repair or goodwill gesture.

If you have run and maintained the car properly, it is likely that VW will offer to help.

If not, then contact a consumer magazine and ask them to intervene -- try Whatcar; Honest John at Daily Telegraph to start with.

VW are a quality brand, and if approached correctly, should help you.

Let us know how you get on! Good luck...

24th Aug 2007, 20:52

Thanks for your advice. I have telephoned and written to the Volkswagen Head office as you suggested. The Volkswagen dealers where I bought the car from have serviced it and it had its first MOT this year and passed with no problems. The car has only been driven to and from my workplace in south london and is used for social and domestic use. I am now awaiting the response from VW headquarters and remain cautiously optimistic. I will let you know how I get on.

16th Sep 2007, 12:43

A good result, but a quality manufacturer wouldn't make you jump through such hoops.

A friend's 2yr old Honda Accord broke down in France last year with a major wiring fault leaving him and his family stranded. By making one phone call:

Replacement French registered vehicle delivered within two hours and their vehicle collected.

Their vehicle returned to the UK

Holiday completed in the loan vehicle with no problems.

On returning to the UK the loan vehicle was collected and replaced with a UK registered car of identical spec.

Two days later, their car was returned to them in full working order, filled with fuel and valeted. They were compensated £200 for the inconvenience, and had the next two services free of charge.

All this from ONE phone call.

This is the mark of a quality manufacturer who takes pride in their cars. Volkswagen lost their real quality in the early nineties.

17th Sep 2007, 16:47

Yes, I am inclined to agree with you on this. I did consider writing to What Car Magazine about Volkswagen and the appalling way they dealt with the matter. I certainly would not recommend them just for the way they dug their heels in and gave me the "run around" for several weeks, for example it took a week for them to get back to me from having dismantled the gearbox to diagnose that the differential had gone. Your friend's positive experience and feedback will certainly make me consider buying from a quality manufacturer such as Honda in the future.

23rd Oct 2007, 08:32

Like everyone else we have had to have the pedal box replaced last week on our 2001 1.4 polo. No help from VW it cost us £450, now only a week later the central locking has packed up and we are going to have to take it back to the garage for a lock barrel replacement. When it goes, it goes well, but in the 18 months we have owned it it has cost us over £900 in garage bills!

28th Oct 2007, 12:18

My 1.4 s reg polo has done only 58000 miles; both electric windows have failed, and the central locking has failed on the passenger side (no doubt it will fail soon on the driver side).

My last service cost me nearly £700 for various things.

The independent garage quoted £400 per door to fix the windows and locks (that's £800).

I've decided just to live with it as I can't £800.

Anyone got any ideas for a cheaper fix? - I've thought about going to a brokers and seeing if I can find some doors for a polo with manual windows?

Or alternatively, just trying a few more garages or specialist electricians?

I'm in North West (Manchester)

Any ideas most welcome.