Overview

The Volkswagen Polo is a top-notch used car to buy if you’re looking for a reliable, easy to drive small hatchback. As cars have got bigger with each generation, the Polo Mk5 produced from 2009-2017 feels an awful lot like the much-loved Mk2 and Mk3 VW Golf in size and agility.

With a small difference. As a modern VW, it exemplifies the brand’s attention to detail and quality, and it’s the premium choice in the supermini sector. It feels a cut-above the contemporary Ford Fiesta or Renault Clio, and you will need to budget more for a Polo of the same age and mileage.

Some might describe it as less fun than rivals – more sobre and solid – which is a VW trait that could also be phrased ‘grown up and dependable’. There is, of course, a Polo Mk5 GTI if you want something that feels like it has a bit of rebellion baked-in. Some would say it’s closer to a classic Golf GTI than the later Golfs.

Volkswagen Polo Mk5 buying guide

Base non-turbo petrol engines are a bit weedy, and entry-level cars lack equipment. The ideal spec for a Polo includes the TSI turbo engine and SE or Match trim. That makes for a super all-rounder with good levels of refinement, long-enugh gearing and torque for relaxed motorway drives, and that classy feel that makes VWs so appealing even after Skoda has learned many of the same tricks.

If the Polo doesn’t appeal, this is Volkswagen Group. You can get the same car wrapped up with a sporty Spanish brand image as the Seat Ibiza Mk4, or go for upscale, scaled down with the Audi A1. 2015-on facelifted cars are better, with stronger engines and much-improved infotainment, plus Euro 6 diesel options (and a quicker GTI as well).

Follow these tips to buy the best 2009-2017 Polo and ensure there are no holes in your next car purchase: it may not be the cheapest supermini out there, but it’s certainly one of the best you can get.

VW Polo Mk5 known faults and common problems

1 – Check the air con blows cold

Air con is an essential these days. Cars that lack it – such as many base-grade Polo S models – are less appealing and command lower prices as a result (Volkswagen even launched a Polo S A/C grade, to combine entry-level value with the all-important air con). 

But if it’s fitted, be sure to check it actually works. The a/c condensers and radiators can leak, leading to pressure loss in the system. If it’s been run for a long time with low pressure, the gadgetry can fail entirely – and you’ll be looking at a bill well into the hundreds.

2 – Diesel particulate filters

The early 2010s was a time when diesel was at its zenith. Volkswagen offered a 1.4-litre TDI with 75hp or 90hp, and an even more efficient (and clattery) 1.2-litre TDI Bluemotion three-cylinder. 

Diesel, however, isn’t ideal for the short journeys most city cars specialise in: they don’t give the diesel particulate filter time to clear itself. Blocked DPFs are therefore a common issue with Polo diesels – the EGR exhaust gas recirculation valve can also get blocked.

3 – Timing chain issues on 1.2 TSI

The 1.2-litre TSI engine has a timing chain, rather than a timing belt, which theoretically should be a non-service item. That’s not the case here though: some suggest it should be changed as frequently as every four years or 40,000 miles, just to be safe. 

These days, a good number of owners don’t get it changed: it starts off by being rattly (particularly on start-up), and can eventually fail, which will expensively destroy the engine.

4 – Slow electric windows

Dirt and debris can build up in the window mechanisms, which leads to slow-moving windows. If it’s not sorted, this can overload the motor and eventually lead to failure. So make sure they all work – and move down and (particularly) up suitably swiftly.

5 – Windscreen washers

Give the windscreen washers a squirt during the test drive. Is the jet of water at a good pressure? Is there a jet of water at all? Don’t accept the old line that the windscreen washer bottle must be empty – some Polo can suffer from split washer fluid pipes, as they are fragile and perish easily.

6 – GTI high oil consumption

The exciting Polo GTI was originally available with a 180hp 1.4-litre TSI ‘twincharger’ engine, with a 1.8-litre boasting similar power following later. The 1.4-litre does like a drink of oil and some engines can suffer particularly high oil consumption.

If the owner hasn’t kept on top of things, it may have been run with the oil level too low, which can accelerate engine wear. Try to get a feel for the engine’s health, listen out for rattles – and of course check the service history.

7 – Facelifted in 2014

A 2014 facelift bought new engines including an excellent 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder in various power outputs (including an ultra-economical Bluemotion version that enjoys free road tax).

Infotainment systems were much-improved, with the same touchscreen setups as on the Golf now available. By now, DAB and Bluetooth were also standard. Facelifted Polos have smoother bumpers and lights, but the biggest giveaway is a chrome strip in the lower half of the bumper, which runs between the fog lights where they’re fitted.

8 – Reassuring safety

The 2009 Volkswagen Polo was one of the first small cars tested by safety organisation Euro NCAP to gain a full five-star score. All models have electronic stability control and, following the 2014 facelift, autonomous emergency braking and post-collision braking were also standardised – as was a driver fatigue monitor. 

Lots more clever safety tech was available as an option, so it’s worth checking to see if any of it is fitted. This is good news for car insurance premiums, as well as bringing reassurance to parents who might be buying it as a first car for their children.

9 – Rough idle

The Polo is famed for its smooth-running refinement, particularly the TSI turbo petrols. The first thing that surprised many buyers is how quiet and grown up it feels. 

So a rough idle should be a worry: it indicates the coil packs may be on their way out. Other tell-tales include a hunting idle (watch for fluctuations from the rev counter needle) and a lack of oomph when accelerating.

10 – No standard passenger airbag deactivation

The Volkswagen Polo is a small car that often serves as a second car. So, young parents considering one to do the school run and umpteen other things for which you need a car with youngsters, take note: a passenger airbag deactivation switch is not a standard-fit on Polos.

It was a cheap option when new, but one still commonly overlooked. Ask the seller if one’s fitted, or dive into the glovebox to check: if it isn’t, you won’t be able to use a child seat in the front. 

What’s the VW Polo Mk5 like to drive?

Over the next few pages, we’ll review each aspect of the VW Polo Mk5, taking into account its practicality, comfort, fuel economy and performance. If you’re short on time, you can also skip to our verdict page to see if we recommend the Volkswagen Polo as a good used car.