Selecting a used Polo

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mk6Polo
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Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I am looking at used polos MK6 in the South-East/London

My main criteria are: 3/4 years old max (i.e 70 plate onwards), 95 PS, Metallic paints, front/rear sensors, manual, petrol. Mileage up to 25/30k is okay if well-maintained.

With a budget of up to £17k, I have seen a few similar to the following:

https://www.alandaygroup.co.uk/vw/car-d ... atch-tsi-6

With the used ones, the PCP contribution is only £250 and you get 2-years free servicing. I have tried to haggle but with not much luck.

I wanted to ask anyone who has the 115ps models how they are? Does it add much to the used price? I do some motorway/dual carriageway driving as well as country roads.

I am looking at the SEL ranges which include park sensors and climate control and quite a few features. The '21 SEL is almost like the new facelifted models in terms of technology It seems that the R-line is quite a jump in price. I have noted that the Match and SEL don't differ too much in price. I have also noted the "united" trim is quite good.

Is anyone able to explain how the cars are priced/valued. I suppose the main criteria is the age, then mileage, then trim/condition etc? I am shopping around dealers so I can spot if something is a good deal. I looked into some of the larger dealers and it seems they are sometimes moving stock across the country which is not necessarily good in terms of tracing history etc. I also noted some from seaside towns with excess rust in only 3 years.

If I was going to buy brand new with the front and rear sensors on a Life trim, this would take me up to £24,000 ish. Even with VW deposit contribution (£1,250) and maybe £500 from the dealer it is still quite steep in a sense.

One of my main concerns with a used car is obviously future repairs and the chance of something going wrong. Many of the cars I suppose are ex-lease and may have taken quite a beating. I am using a detailed checklist and going on test drives. I am sticking to main dealers. I am also thinking of an independent check when I buy. The service history doesn't go into too much detail, only key dates. Am I right in suspecting that dealers get their cars MOT'd at places where they may be trying to hide advisories as these can be subjective? Are there any key service intervals where certain parts need to be replaced say after 30k miles?

I also need a spare wheel (ideally full-size). I have noted different dealers quote different prices which shocked me. Is this normal? Also I am thinking of getting my car professionally detailed later if needed. I also need to keep aside some money for unexpected repairs. I suppose after 3 years, the tyres will be quite worn, brake pads and maybe some other consumables. I noted some used Polos were on the annual/fixed service cycles, while others had variable servicing and not serviced for almost 2 years.

I am not in a rush and doing some investigation at the moment and reading reviews as well. Any known issues with 21 plate TSI polos? Any ideas for the above?
SRGTD
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

I don’t own the models of Polo that you’re considering. However, I do currently own a Polo (2020 70 plate GTI+) and my previous four cars were VW’s, so hopefully I can answer some of your questions (apologies for the long post!).

If you’re buying from a VW dealer on VW Solutions PCP, be aware that the APR on used VW’s is significantly higher than the rate on new VW’s and VW’s deposit contribution on used cars is usually much lower than it is on new cars. So you may find that the lower APR / higher deposit contribution makes a new car more achievable financially.

On how used cars are priced / valued; as you’ve said, age, mileage and condition will be factors as will service history. Additionally, factors such as those below will also have a bearing on the dealer’s selling price;
  • the price the dealer paid for a car.
  • the profit margin the dealer works to.
  • the cost to the dealer in preparing the vehicle for sale - e,g. new tyres (if required), repairing cosmetic bodywork scratches / alloy wheel refurbishment if required, servicing / mechanical repairs.
  • the cost to the dealer of providing VW’s Approved Used warranty.
So how much a dealer has paid for a car, how much it’s cost them to prepare it for sale and their profit margin requirements will all have a bearing on how flexible they may be on discounting the selling price.

I think the SEL and R Line trim levels will appeal to different customer segments; SEL equipment levels tend to be more generous than those on the R Line and probably appeals more to a more mature customer, whereas the R Line which has some of the GTI’s styling cues (but less standard equipment than the SEL) and those styling cues probably appeal more to younger owners.

You’ve mentioned that you’ve seen 3 year old Polos with ‘excess rust’; that’s quite surprising. I can’t recall any forum members highlighting ‘excess rust’ issues on the current shape Polo. On those vehicles you’ve seen that are showing signs of excess rust, I’d be interested to know which parts are rusting - if it’s the brake discs or the rear brake drums then it’s pretty normal for them to show signs of corrosion as those parts are made from (largely unprotected) ferrous metal. The brake drums usually have just a thin layer of paint on them so are prone to corrosion when exposed to the air and / or moisture. Brake discs are unpainted for obvious reasons so will get covered in light surface corrosion when exposed to moisture. It’s also not unusual for suspension components to show signs of surface corrosion on a three year old car as they won’t go through the same corrosion protection process on the factory production line as the car bodyshell and body panels. I’d expect a three year old Polo’s bodywork to be pretty much free of corrosion, unless it’s been seriously neglected or damaged and badly repaired. Diamond cut alloy wheels might be the exception as the diamond cut finish tends to be less durable than painted / powder coated alloys - it’s not unusual for diamond cut alloys to suffer from white worm corrosion at around the 2-3 mark (sometimes sooner).

Any car - new or used - can go wrong. With a car sold under VW’s Approved Used scheme, you do have the benefit of a two year warranty. However, as with all insurance based car warranties, there are exclusions and the warranty won’t be as comprehensive as VW’s new car warranty (even the new car warranty has exclusions). As for MOT’s - I dare say many (most if not all) VW dealerships will be licensed MOT test stations, so if a car being prepared for sale needs to be MOT’d, then they’ll carry it out themselves.

VW used to provide a spare wheel as part of the car’s standard spec (I think the pre-facelift Polo Beats model was the exception). However, they stopped doing this 2-3 years ago and a spare wheel is now an extra cost option. It might be that dealers quote different prices for a spare wheel as there are different types / sizes - e.g. full size or space saver. If you find the ‘right’ car and it doesn’t have a spare wheel, then you might be able to get the dealer to agree to include a spare wheel kit as part of the deal, or include it at a reduced price.

Scheduled servicing items outside the normal ‘standard’ service;
  • brake fluid change. VW have changed the interval of the first brake fluid change in the last couple of years. It used to be at three years and then subsequent brake fluid changes every two years. The first change is now at two years then subsequent changes every two years thereafter.
  • I’m not sure whether spark plugs form part of the standard service (I think the frequency of spark plug changes depends on the model and year of the car).
  • VW will recommend the air con is serviced every two years - note; this is a recommendation rather than a requirement.
VW’s default service regime is long life / flexible servicing. It can be changed to the fixed (time and distance) service regime. VW’s recommendation on which regime should be followed (depending on the vehicle usage) is at the link below;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/owners- ... dules.html
mk6Polo
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

Thanks for your detailed reply.

I saw a car recently. Interestingly the car was listed around £15,700 and then later they changed it to 15,300. Apparently is stock doesn't move within 60 days they try to send to another site or possibly change the price.

The 95 PS exceeded my initial expectations. Are you able to explain more about the TSI engine. I have been reading up about turbos, and turbo lag. The 1.0 engine is quite economical, yet produces a lot of torque when needed. I took it for a motorway test drive. I noted that the acceleration in gears 2 and 3 and somewhat in 4th was fast, with a feeling of a turbo. When I reached 60mph, the rate of acceleration slowed down and I had to press the throttle hard to get it up to 70mph.

Can you explain how the same sized engine, turbocharged, can produce two different outputs (95 and 110PS) - is this a different turbo? Later down the line are there any reliability issues with these turbos?

In terms of a cash price the dealer was very reluctant to negotiate - other "than a tank of fuel".

I noted some mossy/algae on some of the trim and areas needing cleanup - what can I negotiate to get cleaned/prepared with the dealer? The paintwork and alloys seemed fine.

I am also looking at dealers within a 2 hour drive of home. What are the downsides of buying away from home, lets say there is warranty work? I know that I can get servicing done locally with the servicing plan.

In terms of a cash purchase - the handover process. I was told that they tax the car for me (but include the price to me). I was told that I should make the payment before the day of collection. I have a handover checklist from a car which I bought new. Usually you also have to pay a small deposit. The whole process apparently takes around 4 days.

I am also mentally keeping 800-1000 pounds aside for any unexpected issues - e.g. wear and tear items which could need replacing in the 4th year - brake pads, pollen filters, changing batteries, fluids, tyres etc.

With the servicing plan there appear to be two options: £492 (minor/major service), or £678 with air filter/spark plug as well. There is also the "all-in" for £40 monthly I think. Would the "all in" 2 years extended warranty effectively duplicate with the approved used warranty?

I also have a mk4 golf with around 180,000 miles. It still has an MOT, but not in very good condition. Is there any worth trying for a trade-in? Or better to scrap and get maybe £250? I suppose it is no use to the dealer really.
SRGTD
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm I saw a car recently. Interestingly the car was listed around £15,700 and then later they changed it to 15,300. Apparently is stock doesn't move within 60 days they try to send to another site or possibly change the price.
I think that’s pretty normal practice; reducing the price might entice prospective customers to buy. Moving stock around within a dealership where they have more than one premises creates the impression of a busy, successful dealer whose vehicle stock is in demand.
mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm
The 95 PS exceeded my initial expectations. Are you able to explain more about the TSI engine. I have been reading up about turbos, and turbo lag. The 1.0 engine is quite economical, yet produces a lot of torque when needed. I took it for a motorway test drive. I noted that the acceleration in gears 2 and 3 and somewhat in 4th was fast, with a feeling of a turbo. When I reached 60mph, the rate of acceleration slowed down and I had to press the throttle hard to get it up to 70mph.

Can you explain how the same sized engine, turbocharged, can produce two different outputs (95 and 110PS) - is this a different turbo? Later down the line are there any reliability issues with these turbos?
Sorry, can’t explain more about the 1.0 TSI engine; I’ve never owned a car with this powerplant. As for the different power outputs of the 1.0 engine, this discussion topic was from a few years ago;

viewtopic.php?t=73207
In terms of a cash price the dealer was very reluctant to negotiate - other "than a tank of fuel".
There does seem to be greater reluctance by dealers to negotiate on the price of used vehicles than on new vehicles. With a used vehicle, IMHO willingness to negotiate will depend on how much margin the dealers has to play with after taking into account various factors such as what they paid for a specific car, expenses incurred in preparing it for sale, how long it’s been sitting on the forecourt, their profit margin objectives (there will no doubt be other factors impacting a dealer’s willingness to negotiate on price).
mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm I noted some mossy/algae on some of the trim and areas needing cleanup - what can I negotiate to get cleaned/prepared with the dealer? The paintwork and alloys seemed fine.
I’d personally prefer a dealer not to do this type of cleanup; I’d prefer to do it myself as many dealers cleaning / valeting skills leave a lot to be desired! Dealership free complimentary service washes aren’t known as as a free scratch n swirl treatment on many forums for no reason 😮 🤣. I never let the dealer inflict their free service wash on my car when it goes in for servicing - in fact I specifically instruct them not to wash it!
mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm I am also looking at dealers within a 2 hour drive of home. What are the downsides of buying away from home, let’s say there is warranty work? I know that I can get servicing done locally with the servicing plan.
I’m pretty certain that VW’s Approved Used warranty allows you to use any VW dealer for warranty work; you don’t have to use the dealer you bought the car from. Worth having a read of the small print int the warranty booklet;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/idhub/cont ... ooklet.pdf

The main disadvantage I could foresee is getting any non-warranty issues sorted that you discover after collecting the car that the dealer agreed to fix as a condition of sale. VW’s Approved Used warranty essentially covers sudden and unforeseen electrical and mechanical issues, so if a dealer agreed to fix any cosmetic damage but failed to do so, then it would be necessary to go back to selling dealer to rectify those issues. IMHO that makes it important to check over the car very carefully at time of collection; try and get the dealer to agree to keep the car under cover on collection day so it’s clean and dry and easier to inspect.
mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm With the servicing plan there appear to be two options: £492 (minor/major service), or £678 with air filter/spark plug as well. There is also the "all-in" for £40 monthly I think. Would the "all in" 2 years extended warranty effectively duplicate with the approved used warranty?
There will be areas of duplication between the benefits of VW’s Approved Used scheme and the ‘All In’ product in addition to areas of overlap under the actual warranty cover (e.g. MOT cover, Roadside Assistance cover). If I was buying a vehicle under VW’s Approved Used scheme, I wouldn’t consider buying the All In product until expiry date of the Approved Used warranty; the dealer will have factored cost of the Approved Used warranty / other Approved Used benefits into the price of the car you’re buying, so buying the All in product would mean you’d be paying twice.
mk6Polo wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 7:21 pm I also have a mk4 golf with around 180,000 miles. It still has an MOT, but not in very good condition. Is there any worth trying for a trade-in? Or better to scrap and get maybe £250? I suppose it is no use to the dealer really.
The benefit of trading in would mean you’re not without a car as you’d have the Golf up to the point that you drive away from the dealership in your new car. As a trade in, you’re likely to get offered very little for your Golf; because of its age and condition, it’s not a car the dealer could put on their forecourt to sell. A dealer would probably just offer you a nominal amount and put it into an auction to move it on. With an older car such as yours, they might recommend you consider selling to one of the car buying services such as We Buy Any Car as it saves them the time and cost of getting it put into an auction.
mk6Polo
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I am looking at a few SEL's

The following one is a 68' plate with 25,000 miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra

Do you have any comments on having a car which is around 6 years old. My annual mileage is around 5 to 6k miles, so many years before reaching 80-90k where many expensive repairs are often needed. Mentally I feel that 3 years is a good spot for the £15,000-17,000 budget.

Here is a 71' plate with 18,000 miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra

I have also seen one in Limestone Grey (metallic). Do you think that colour is a good choice or a bit gaudy? I suppose it is less marketable than a silver or blue or red. I know that the urano gray (solid) is the free basic colour.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra
SRGTD
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

From the pictures, all three look OK. I’m a bit ‘old school’ though, and would always want to see a car ‘in the metal’ before committing to buy it as it’s not possible to see all potential imperfections from pictures however good the picture resolution - I’d be prepared to travel to view what I thought was the right car and wouldn’t just settle for the first car I viewed. It’s also worth taking someone with you to give a second opinion as they may spot a potential issue(s) that you don’t.

You mentioned you had a list of things to check, so presumably you have the undernoted items on that list (you probably have other items too). You could also ask the dealer for a copy of the completed multipoint checklist that should be completed prior to a vehicle being eligible to be sold under VW’s Approved Used scheme. I don’t know if they’d provide this, but there’s no harm in asking.
  • bodywork; panels are all undamaged, no signs scratches, parking dings / dents or stone chips, or evidence of poor repairs, all shut lines and panel gaps are uniform and even. Check windscreen and headlamps for damage.
  • check interior trim and upholstery for damage.
  • wheels and tyres; no kerb damage to the alloys, all tyres are matching and are a good, known brand (could be an indication of good maintenance by previous owner(s)) and decent tread depth. Also check for the presence of a spare wheel; VW used to fit a spare as part of the car’s standard spec, but a few years ago a spare wheel became and extra cost option. If a car you’re considering doesn’t have a spare and it’s important to you, try and negotiate getting one included as part of the deal.
  • does the car have the optional smoker pack, which would be an indication of a previous owner being a smoker? Tell tale signs could be a discoloured headlining and stale smoke smell from the interior. The smell can be temporarily ‘hidden’ by a dealer by the use of air freshener / deodoriser products, but once the effect of those products has worn off, it’s very difficult - if not impossible - to get rid of the stale smoking smell. Having said that, I can’t see the optional ashtray in the pictures of any of the three cars you’re considering.
  • MOT history - if car is more than three years old; check government website for passes, fails and advisories. No fails and no advisories could be an indication - but not necessarily a guarantee - of a well maintained car.
  • both keys are present, as it is quite expensive to get a replacement.
  • check all electrical equipment and accessories work, if they don’t, it’s better - and easier- to get issues rectified before buying, especially if you’re not buying locally.
  • test drive; try and get a decent length test drive and listen for any ‘strange’ noises, ensure the operation of clutch, brakes, gear change, steering are all OK and there are no vibrations through the steering, brakes or pedals.
As for colour - we all like different things. Limestone Grey is a bit of a Marmite colour IMHO. In certain lighting conditions, it can look a bit ‘mushroomy brown’ which won’t be to everyone’s taste, but in other lighting conditions it looks good. Of the three, if colour was the sole deciding factor, I’d probably go for Energetic Orange as I think it looks good in all lighting conditions and it isn’t one of the typical, more dull colours that VW have a tendency to use.

If budget isn’t too much of an issue, I’d be inclined to go for one of the two newer cars. I’d want to see the service history; my preference would be to go for a car that’s on VW’s annual / time and distance service regime, so it would have been serviced every year rather than a car that’s on the flexible / long life service regime, where cars can go up to two years between services. I know oil technology has advanced over the years, but I don’t like the idea of a car not having an oil and filter change for up to two years. Be aware that VW service records are digital and have been for a years now (I think from around 2017/2018), so there won’t be a stamped service history book for newer cars. Dealers can print out the service history from VW’s system, provided the car’s been serviced by VW which it should have been if it’s being sold under the VW Approved Used scheme (some independent non-VW garages have access to VW’s online service history database to update a car’s service history).

Of the three, I’d probably favour the Reef Blue car. I did notice from the pictures that one of the plastic wheel bolt covers (usually the one on the locking wheel bolt) on each of the wheels that you can see in the pictures has discoloured; often happens if harsh or unsuitable (strong or non-ph neutral) cleaning products have been used, and could be an indication of regular trips to one of the local hand car wash places, so I’d be checking the paintwork over carefully for signs of poor washing (e.g. light scratching and / or swirl marks). If it checked out OK or any issues were just minor that I could polish out with my machine polisher then I think I go for the blue car. I’d get the dealer to replace the discoloured wheel bolt covers though (would only cost them a few pence as the covers are cheap).

Good luck. Hope you find a car that ticks all the boxes for you 🤞.
Last edited by SRGTD on Fri May 24, 2024 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
mk6Polo
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I have seen 1 or two models. I have seen some at main dealers which are not VW. What is the disadvantage of buying from another company? I suppose you don't get the VW approved used benefits?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... al&fromsra

How would a renault dealer get a VW stock - would someone have traded in?

A relatively high-mileage SEL (2020 model) is below - any comments?

https://www.lookers.co.uk/used-car/volk ... /id/620321

I also wanted to ask about the "active" and "united" trim. These have the parking sensors, but don't have 6-speed manual. They are only 95PS. They are quite "niche" but seem to meet my needs.

I had a look at the Limestone Grey metallic in a few car parks on different models - maybe not so bad as on a computer screen!

Another technicality I have noted is with the higher-rated engines, often found on the SEL. The older (I think pre MK6 facelift) have 113PS , 0 TO 60 IS 9.5. The newer ones 108PS and 9.9s. Why the discrepancy?

Finally, what is the complexity/price in retrofitting reversing cameras to MK6 polos? Some dealers said it cant be done with any guarantee/OEM parts.
SRGTD
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am I have seen 1 or two models. I have seen some at main dealers which are not VW. What is the disadvantage of buying from another company? I suppose you don't get the VW approved used benefits?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... al&fromsra
Correct; you won’t get VW’s Approved Used scheme benefits. The warranty will be whatever that dealer provides with cars that are a different brand to the brand of vehicles they normally sell.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am How would a renault dealer get a VW stock - would someone have traded in?
It’s likely a customer traded in a Polo against a Renault and Renault may be more flexible about what brands of used vehicles their dealerships can sell than some other car manufacturers are. Alternatively, that selling dealer may be short of good quality used car stock, and has sourced that car (and others) from a trade-only car auction. During the pandemic - and when semiconductor supply shortages were affecting new car production - it was fairly commonplace for many dealerships to sell different branded vehicles to their ‘normal’ brand, as good quality used stock was difficult to come by.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am A relatively high-mileage SEL (2020 model) is below - any comments?

https://www.lookers.co.uk/used-car/volk ... /id/620321
A high mileage isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From the MOT checker on the gov.uk website, car has been MOT’d twice with no advisories or fails. It was first registered 19/08/2020 so has covered around 10k - 11k miles per year which may be a bit higher than average but IMHO isn’t that excessive. If those miles have been driven mainly on A roads / motorways, then the engine / other mechanicals are unlikely to have been put under undue stresses and strains and is probably in better mechanical health than a car with a very low mileage used predominantly on very short journeys where the engine rarely gets up to optimum operating temperature. If you’re driving much less than 10k - 11k per year, then over time the average annual mileage will come down.

I’d be looking for a comprehensive service history, ensuring consumable items such as tyres, brake pads / shoes / discs had plenty of life left in them and checking the operation of the clutch during a test drive to ensure it doesn’t slip or judder. A good brand of tyres could also indicate a previous owner hasn’t skimped on maintenance. Higher mileage cars may have picked up more minor / cosmetic imperfections (e.g. stone chips, scratches) than a car with lower mileage - however, than could be influenced by factors such as the types of roads it’s been driven on during its life and the driving style of the previous owner(s).

From the pictures at the link you’ve posted, the rear bumper does appear to be quite heavily scratched - pictures 33 and 34. I’ve owned my fair share of black cars in the past and it’s a labour of love to keep them looking good, so something to bear in mind if you’re not planning on spending lots of time keeping it looking good, using a ‘safe’ wash technique, avoiding hand car wash places / auto car washes etc. Stone chips are also more visible on dark coloured cars, so acquiring a good touching in technique is advisable to avoid that ‘peppered’ paintwork look.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am I also wanted to ask about the "active" and "united" trim. These have the parking sensors, but don't have 6-speed manual. They are only 95PS. They are quite "niche" but seem to meet my needs.
I’m not familiar with the spec of these two trim levels. I think those two models were only offered with either an 80p or 95ps power output and either a 5 speed manual or 7 speed DSG transmission. If you do an internet search you should be able to find details of the main items of equipment of each of trim level.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am Another technicality I have noted is with the higher-rated engines, often found on the SEL. The older (I think pre MK6 facelift) have 113PS , 0 TO 60 IS 9.5. The newer ones 108PS and 9.9s. Why the discrepancy?
I’d say it’s not a discrepancy but more likely a deliberate emissions reduction action by VW, so they pay less in emissions-based fines for exceeding EU emissions targets.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 4:39 am Finally, what is the complexity/price in retrofitting reversing cameras to MK6 polos? Some dealers said it cant be done with any guarantee/OEM parts.
I’ve read on some forums that it’s more difficult to retrofit OEM equipment / accessories to modern VW’s and sometimes it’s not possible. There’s a guy on this forum (Scotty_boy VW) who’s carried out lots of retrofits to his pre-facelift Polo, so I’d say anything’s possible at a price. If you don’t have the technical skills to do a reverse camera retrofit, then there are specialist companies who do these types of retro fit (e.g. https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/, https://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/produc ... g-cameras/). It’s likely to be quite expensive though. Also, be aware that some retro fit reversing cameras may not be the type that are concealed behind the tailgate badge / handle - they may be a non-OEM factory fitted type that are fitted above the rear number plate, so exposed to road dirt / rain, which can distort the on screen image displayed.
mk6Polo
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I had a look today at a Urano Grey SEL, petrol, manual (110ps). The price is around 16K, '21 plate with approx 25k miles on it - 1 owner, approved used.

I took it for a test drive and I really noticed the 110PS (and extra torque) going up a steep hill on a dual carriageway over 50mph. The Turbo in the 110 PS seems to still have an effect at higher speeds. With the 95 PS Tsi, above 55mph, the car accelerates slower and also loses speed quickly if you let go of the gas.

Any thoughts on the solid paint colour - is metallic paint more durable as such?

Again, cash purchases they were very reluctant to budge on price or any extras. They suggested a person to contact about retrofitting reversing cameras.

I also noted a few marks on the headliner in the back seats - please see attachments. Do you know the source/cause of these and also the likely method of cleaning the headliner without damaging it. The car also had one or two exterior scratches. Some were deeper than cosmetic ones.

I know a local professional detailer who may be able to do a package - interior clean, engine bay and ceramic coating for maybe 5-600 pounds. Small odd bits and pieces would be relatively expensive.
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SRGTD
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

Urano Grey was the ‘free’ paint colour on the mk6 pre-facelift Polo (apart from the R Line and GTI/GTI+ models where the free colour was Flash Red); all other colours were an extra cost option. Paint colour is a very personal thing - what one person likes, another may not, and whether or not you like a specific colour is the most important thing.

As for paint durability - apart from Oryx white (never offered as a paint choice on the mk6 Polo), the painting process for modern VW paint colours is the same whether metallic or not; primer coat, base (colour) coat and clear coat (lacquer). Therefore, durability should be the same for metallic and non metallic colours. As a general rule, darker colours are more prone to showing swirl marks in brighter lighting conditions if a ‘non-safe’ wash technique has been used, certain colours are more difficult to colour match if paintwork repairs are required (e.g. lighter metallic colours such as silver).

As for scratches; if they fail the finger nail test (i.e. you can feel them if you run a finger nail across them) then they’re unlikely to polish out completely and may need to be repainted. Urano Grey should be an easy colour for matching new paint to existing paint though. The detailer you’re considering using should be able to advise on whether or not it would be possible to polish out any deeper scratches or whether you’d need to consider getting them SMART repaired or repainted / repaired at a bodyshop.

Difficult to say what might have caused the marks on the headlining. If they’re over the back seats, they could’ve been caused by large, bulky items being carried where it was necessary to put the back seats down. However, the actual cause is anyone’s guess. They look fairly superficial - if so then I’d hazard a guess that it’ll be possible to clean then off fairly easily. Your professional detailer should have the necessary products and equipment to remove them. Choice of product(s) to use if you were to attempt to remove the marks yourself will largely depend what the marks are (e.g. grease marks may require a different approach / different products to non-greasy marks).
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I had a look at the high-mileage polo (black): https://www.lookers.co.uk/used-car/volk ... /id/620321

Yes it some scratches and quite a few imperfections. The interior has also taken quite a bit of wear and tear. If I recall correctly, they had fitted some budget tyres. I felt like it was not really value for money if you think of the age - December 2020.

If we compare to this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra

The grey one has price dropped by to £15,650, from £15,995. - i.e. £350. Maybe the car was not selling and possibly the grey colour is less desirable. Can you comment on the "16 LAS MINAS ALLOYS". The bigger tyres will be slightly more expensive to replace. How is the cleaning inside the wheel barrel. It seems quite challenging?

There are a few photos of the grey one. Can you spot any issues/imperfections?

The car is seems to be good value for the price - it was first registered on 11/09/2021. When you buy the spare wheel, I suppose the price is with the "kit" -i.e. locking nuts and jack?

Interestingly, I viewed some competitor models. The Mazda 2 Sport from a main dealer (3yrs old, 25k miles was £13,300). I noted they only give 1 year warranty, and roadside assitance. The big displacement engine (1.6 petrol, 6 speed), is good but not so much torque as a 95/110PS polo. You have to work through the gears and have higher revs to get the power from the engine.

A Nissan Micra (again 3 years old, but 5k miles), had a 1.0 turbo (90PS). It was punchy at low revs. The interior was well kept. I felt the engine rumbles at idle. The rear seats are a real squeeze, and relatively basic interior. I assume the Polo turbo is more durable. Can you comment on common mechanical/electrical issues with the POlo. At which age/mileage would you say the market value rapidly drops/people trade in/scrap. I know that many cars at around 80-90K miles need many major parts and then the owners try to trade?

Any other high-trim cars which can match the Polo. How are the Audi A1s?
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra

The grey one has price dropped by to £15,650, from £15,995. - i.e. £350. Maybe the car was not selling and possibly the grey colour is less desirable. Can you comment on the "16 LAS MINAS ALLOYS". The bigger tyres will be slightly more expensive to replace. How is the cleaning inside the wheel barrel. It seems quite challenging?
VW’s Las Minas alloys aren’t diamond cut which IMHO is a big bonus as they won’t succumb to white worm corrosion like diamond cut alloys often do at around the 2-3 year mark. Given a choice between alloys with a painted / powder coated alloys or diamond cut, I’d always go for the former. As for cleaning; I don’t have any personal experience of cleaning Las Minas alloys as I have 18” alloys on my Polo GTI+. I clean the inside of the wheel barrels on my car using a set of wheel woolies - link below (they’re also available on other websites);

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel-wo ... -brush-kit

I also have the angled one (https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel-wo ... back-brush ) so I’m able to reach pretty much all parts of the barrel and the back of the spokes (I also use a alloy wheel-specific short synthetic pile wash mitt on the reverse side of the spokes).
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am There are a few photos of the grey one. Can you spot any issues/imperfections?
There’s a strange dark mark across one of the spokes (the spoke at the 7 o’clock position) on the front driver’s side alloy; see picture no.4. I can’t see the same mark on other pictures though where the driver’s side front alloy is visible. Also a small scuff mark (or paint?) on the steering wheel in picture no.14.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am The car is seems to be good value for the price - it was first registered on 11/09/2021. When you buy the spare wheel, I suppose the price is with the "kit" -i.e. locking nuts and jack?
If the car doesn’t have a spare wheel, then if you’re considering buying a spare wheel kit I’d expect it to include the jack and wheel brace. It might not include the polystyrene-type insert that holds the tools (e.g. jack / wheel brace); that might need to be bought separately (a VW dealer should be able to clarify what’s included in the spare wheel kit). I don’t think the locking wheel bolt key and the tool to remove the wheel bolt covers are part of the spare wheel kit - they should also be supplied with a car that doesn’t have a spare wheel kit (i.e. a car that has the standard puncture repair kit), otherwise it wouldn’t be possible for tyre fitters to remove the wheels from the car when fitting new tyres.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am Interestingly, I viewed some competitor models. The Mazda 2 Sport from a main dealer (3yrs old, 25k miles was £13,300). I noted they only give 1 year warranty, and roadside assitance. The big displacement engine (1.6 petrol, 6 speed), is good but not so much torque as a 95/110PS polo. You have to work through the gears and have higher revs to get the power from the engine.
I don’t think the Mazda 2’s engine has a turbo, which is probably why it needed to be worked harder.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am Can you comment on common mechanical/electrical issues with the POlo.
I don’t own a Polo with the 1.0 three cylinder engine, so I’m not best placed to comment - maybe other forum members with 1.0 litre three cylinder current model Polos can / will add comments of their ownership experiences to this discussion topic? With the 2.0 engine in my GTI+, the water pump and thermostat housing is a weak point, but I can’t remember reading of it being an issue on the 1.0 Polo engine. Not aware of any significant or recurring electrical issues.
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am At which age/mileage would you say the market value rapidly drops/people trade in/scrap. I know that many cars at around 80-90K miles need many major parts and then the owners try to trade?
IMHO that’s a bit like asking the proverbial ‘how long is a piece of string?’ question as there will be a number of variables that could have a bearing on future values / the best time for owners change or scrap their cars. These days, I dare say the majority of cars are bought using a finance plan or bank loan, and the end of the finance plan / bank loan term will be the point at which many owners may consider changing their vehicle .
mk6Polo wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2024 8:43 am Any other high-trim cars which can match the Polo. How are the Audi A1s?
I’d say the A1 is very similar to the Polo - both in terms of trim quality and mechanicals - but you pay a higher price because Audi is perceived to be a premium brand, and Audi’s servicing costs will probably be higher than VW’s if using an Audi main dealer (I think the Audi service plans are more expensive than VW’s too). The standard spec of an Audi A1 is probably less generous than that of an equivalent / comparable VW Polo.

The current Seat Ibiza would be worth considering - although if by ‘high trim’ you mean premium brand, I wouldn’t consider Seat to be a premium brand (I don’t consider VW to be a premium brand either). The Ibiza is basically a Polo under the skin but IMHO it’s more stylish than the Polo and model for model, is probably cheaper to buy. I think the interior of the current Ibiza was upgraded as part of the mid-lifecycle facelift to include more soft touch materials to give it a more perceived premium feel.

One potentially unlikely contender that might be worth considering is the current (mk5) Renault Clio;
  • the mk5 has won many awards, including Auto Express best supermini 2020, 2021 and 2022, What Car? best small car 2024, winner of UK Car of the Year awards in 2024.
  • Motoring reviews consider the mk5 Clio’s interior to be one of the best in terms of quality / perceived quality in the (small car) B segment class and it has quite a premium look and feel.
  • unlike many car manufacturers, Renault have retained user-friendly conventional switchgear in the Clio for important functions - e.g. heating / ventilation / air con and to switch off some of the assistance systems such as lane assist, rather than having such functions buried somewhere in a sub-menu accessed via the infotainment touch screen.
  • if luggage capacity is an important factor, the mk5 Clio (non-hybrid version) has a large boot; larger than a VW Golf’s.
A couple of negatives I’m aware of with the Clio;
  • the high-ish boot sill which could make loading heavy / large items a little difficult.
  • the rear seats aren’t great for taller passengers and there are no USB Ports in the rear of the car
From a purely aesthetic perspective, I do think it looks quite chique and stylish - much more so than the Polo.

These days, reliability surveys seem to rank Renault on a par with VW, so the days of dodgy French auto electrics might be a thing of the past(?). Dealership service also seems to be broadly similar to VW. I’ve no personal experience of owning a Renault - or any French car for that matter - so can’t vouch for how good (or bad) current day French cars are. I quite like the mk4 and mk5 Clio’s though.
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

A little while ago, I looked into the Beats option.

I saw a 4 year old model for around £15k. Roughly 25k miles.

I gather the "Beats" option is above the Match, but less than the SEL. How is the resale value? I see that the Beats original list price was equal to a 95 PS SEL.

I felt the speaker system was not massively better than the VW one. I am not a music fanatic. I also noted that the Beats system takes extra room in the boot, preventing lowering the boot floor. The sports seats are a plus. Some Beats come in a flash red colour which is hard to get hold of.

I have noted that on some cars, the alloys are quite scratched. The dealers claim that they will refurb them. Should I trust them? In refurbishing them what do they do, and will it affect the wheel later on? Could I get my own detailer to do a better job?

How useful are tinted windows. I have never had them before?

Do you know anything about under-seat drawers - not seen on any Polo yet?

Any comments on the Beats "racing stripe" stickers. Will these wear out and cause issues with the paintwork underneath. I suppose if the stickers are damaged it may be hard to repair?
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by SRGTD »

mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm A little while ago, I looked into the Beats option.

I saw a 4 year old model for around £15k. Roughly 25k miles.

I gather the "Beats" option is above the Match, but less than the SEL. How is the resale value? I see that the Beats original list price was equal to a 95 PS SEL.
Sorry, but I’ve no idea about the resale value of a Polo Beats model relative to any other trim level of Polo as many factors can influence the resale value of a specific vehicle (e.g. factors such as the vehicle’s overall condition, mileage, service history, desirable options / paint colour, the price the dealer paid for the vehicle and the cost incurred in preparing it for resale). The Polo Beats will probably appeal primarily to a specific customer segment - i.e. those potential buyers who place a high level of importance on an enhanced sound system over the Polo’s standard sound system. The interior colour scheme of the Polo Beats (cream, grey and red) might not appeal to everyone, so that might (but not necessarily will) reduce its appeal to some prospective buyers, which in turn could be reflected in a lower resale value for the Polo Beats compared to other Polo models.
mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm I felt the speaker system was not massively better than the VW one. I am not a music fanatic. I also noted that the Beats system takes extra room in the boot, preventing lowering the boot floor. The sports seats are a plus. Some Beats come in a flash red colour which is hard to get hold of.
I have read that the Beats audio system is quite base-heavy, and with the Polo having hard plastic door cards, a high level of bass from the door mounted speakers could increase the potential for unwanted rattles and vibrations from the hard plastic (inflexible) interior trim. I had the upgraded Dynaudio audio system in my mk6 Golf GTD and was somewhat underwhelmed by the sound quality so haven’t paid extra to upgrade the audio system on cars owned since my mk6 Golf. I listen mainly to DAB radio stations these days and find the standard system in my Polo fine for digital radio broadcasts.

In addition to the Polo Beats losing the lower boot floor position, it also doesn’t get a spare wheel - it has a compressor and a can of tyre sealant. I might be wrong but I seem to remember reading some years ago that it wasn’t possible to accommodate a spare wheel because of the Beats system taking up space under the boot floor.
mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm I have noted that on some cars, the alloys are quite scratched. The dealers claim that they will refurb them. Should I trust them? In refurbishing them what do they do, and will it affect the wheel later on? Could I get my own detailer to do a better job?
If the scratching on diamond cut alloys is only very superficial light surface scratching that’s not much more than swirling, it might be possible for a detailer to polish them out. Anything more significant than that, such a kerb damage or white worm corrosion, then IMHO they need to have a full professional refurb. Refurbishing diamond cut alloys is always best done by a good, reputable, specialist alloy wheel refurbishing company with the necessary skills equipment and premises to produce a top quality, original factory finish - I wouldn’t be happy with a dealer ‘makeover’; I’d want them done properly, but maybe that’s just me. Typically, the retail cost of a top quality diamond cut alloy wheel refurb carried out by a specialist company would probably be in the region of £120 - £150 per wheel, and the refurb process would entail;
  • acid stripping wheels back to bare alloy
  • inspecting for - and repairing - any damage by welding in / grinding down additional alloy material if necessary
  • prime and powder coat the entire wheel
  • re-cut the face of the wheel on a CNC diamond cutting lathe to expose the bare metal diamond cut finish
  • apply the protective lacquer coating
  • oven bake the alloys to cure the powder coat and lacquer to ensure good bond / adhesion to the alloy and good durability of finish.
With the cost involved, I very much doubt a dealer would be incurring the cost of a top quality refurb as that would impact their profit margin on the car - at best, a dealership refurb of a diamond cut alloy is likely to be done by a mobile wheel repairer in the back of the van which could mean an inferior quality result with poor durability and poor longevity of the finish.

Also bear in mind that with the correct method of refurbishing diamond cut alloys, a thin layer of metal is removed from the wheel’s face during the re-cutting process. With this in mind, diamond cut alloys can only be refurbished with an original diamond cut factory finish a maximum of two times; more than twice and too much metal may be removed from a wheel’s face which would compromise its structural integrity and make it unsafe.
mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm How useful are tinted windows. I have never had them before?
I would say that tinted windows in the rear of the car might be considered by some to enhance the car’s appearance. It is also fairly commonplace for car manufacturers to have an increased level of tint on the rear screen and rear side windows, which may make it more difficult for people outside the car to see items in the car (e.g. personal belongings that may have inadvertently been left on the back seat) reducing temptation of unscrupulous individuals from breaking in and helping themselves. I don’t think tinted windows do much - if anything - to help keep the interior of the car cool in hot weather.
mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm Do you know anything about under-seat drawers - not seen on any Polo yet?
I don’t know if they were ever fitted by VW on the current shape Polo. I had underseat drawers on my previous two VW’s; they’re quite small so IMHO the size limits their usefulness and they’re really only practical for storing small items. The drawers are made from hard plastic so there’s a risk of any loose items moving around in the drawers creating unwanted rattling noises (I used to wrap any loose items in microfibre cloths to prevent rattling). My current car doesn’t have under seat drawers them and I don’t miss not having them.
mk6Polo wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:29 pm Any comments on the Beats "racing stripe" stickers. Will these wear out and cause issues with the paintwork underneath. I suppose if the stickers are damaged it may be hard to repair?
I don’t know how durable they are or if there’s a risk of them wearing out and / or damaging the paintwork they’re applied to. If the racing stripes stickers do get damaged, then replacing - rather than repairing - them is probably the best solution.

If I had to choose between a Polo Beats and a Polo SEL, I’d choose the latter because;
  • the SEL is better spec’d (IMHO)
  • the standard alloys on the SEL aren’t diamond cut, but have a much more durable painted / powder coated finish so there aren’t the issues associated with diamond cut alloys (e.g. white worm corrosion, easily damaged by tyre fitters, expensive to repair / can only be refurbished with a factory diamond cut finish twice)
  • the SEL will have a spare wheel
  • a personal thing, but I prefer the more restrained interior of the SEL over the Beats.
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Re: Selecting a used Polo

Post by mk6Polo »

I had a more recent search of Polos.

I see that the Match trim has the parking sensors and maybe some of the other items in the SEL/style are not necessarily a deal-breaker etc

I am going to see a Polo in an Audi dealership. It seems you get 12 months warranty. The VW approved used gives 2 years. The mileage is a bit high -- 30k.

You commented before on buying from other main dealers. Would Audi be good as it is part of the Volkswagen/Audi group? The dealer is saying they can access the full service history. Would I then go to VW and service there? I was planning to then buy the "All-in" service plan, as the car is over 3 years old.

https://www.marshall.co.uk/audi/used-ca ... al-5-door/

Something very similar is about £600 more from a Volkswagen dealer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 24&fromsra


I have also searched a few "Style" models. The earlier 21/71 plate models are sometimes in the region of £16K upwards.

I have also seen another Match (red):
https://www.thejcbgroup.co.uk/renault/u ... iption%5D=

Any comments?
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