UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi, im Shauny Boy, im thinking of buying a 1.3 mk4 polo for my first car, have found a couple but they were both sold...both had roughly 80k on...

what to look out for when going to look at it? any regular faults around that millage and anything to generally look out for on polos?

thanks, Shauny

Welcome to this forum, Shauny Boy.
I had a 1.4 8V 1997 model, I did not know much about Polo before I bought the car, it has done 75,000 miles when I bought it. I had quite a few problems with it since I had the car. I reckon you should be aware of these problems;

1. Clutch cable was broken after 79,000 miles
2. Exhaust has been replaced.
3. Electric windows were not working, which is a common fault with the 6N Polo.
4. The whole clutch need to replace when it went to 82,000 miles (this may not apply to every 6N Polo, it was the VW specialist advice before I sold the car)
5. Rust under the wheel arches, and the under door sill.
6. Power steering fluid cable was broken, it was replaced which costs about 250 pounds to get it done!

I cannot think of anything else. Generally, I think VW made really good cars, if I had a french car for that mileage and age, I reckon it would be broken down every day and costs me fortune to maintain! Personally, I would go for the 1.4 engine Polo. As I have done some research after I sold my 1.4 8V Polo (becos it has done 82,000 and it may have more problems soon). Most articles write up reckon the 1.4 is better engine for the Polo, due to the 1.3 is an old engine from the mk3. The 1.4 also has better fuel consumption rate than the 1.3. For further information you can have a read on the buying guide section of this forum. Anyway, good luck with your purchase, and keep us inform what have you bought in the furture!

Kind regards,
S.

Considering he's looking for a 1st car, the 1.3 makes a lot of sense as the insurance will be a bit lower than the 1.4.

It's still pretty nippy when it's not loaded down.

chunkychimpanzee wrote: Personally, I would go for the 1.4 engine Polo. As I have done some research after I sold my 1.4 8V Polo (becos it has done 82,000 and it may have more problems soon).

82,000 miles? A mk4 will do double that.

chunkychimpanzee wrote: Most articles write up reckon the 1.4 is better engine for the Polo, due to the 1.3 is an old engine from the mk3.

Not quite. The mk4 engine is 1296cc whereas the mk2/3 1.3s were 1272. So the bore and stroke are different, as is the engine management, camshaft and god knows what else. It may be based on the same block (i'm not sure whether it is or not) but it certainly is a different engine.

chunkychimpanzee wrote: The 1.4 also has better fuel consumption rate than the 1.3.

My 1.3 will clear 40 mpg with a passenger and a full boot. How much mpg can you want?

For some reason the 1.3 is much maligned. No, it's not the fastest engine. No, it's not as fast as the 1.4. It's quicker than either of the 1.0 engines though. It still does it's job well, especially if you want the lower insurance.

Just my opinion.

Hi everyone,

I do apologise if I have upset anyone regarding to what I have posted during this topic. That was only my own opinion and my experience during the ownership of my previous 6N 1.4 8V.

Kind regards,
S.

rear arches r to look for mate sometimes go rusty !!

so will need to be re-done to keep the car lookin smart

jason11

chunkychimpanzee wrote:Hi everyone,

I do apologise if I have upset anyone regarding to what I have posted during this topic. That was only my own opinion and my experience during the ownership of my previous 6N 1.4 8V.

Kind regards,
S.

no, not at all - that's your opinion and i've stated mine.

we probably need someone who's owned both to give a more objective view