which used Volkswagen Polo?
Rustic in its infancy, today’s little Polo has nothing to envy to current models in terms of comfort and safety equipment, whether it is its direct rival or cars of a higher category. This is especially the case for generations 4, 5 and the current 6th. Fortunately, they are the most present in the second-hand market. But their popularity and reliability mean that the prices at which they are sold remain high. Caradisiac goes for what you can afford, for budgets from small to large.
From €2,000 to €3,000
Not what Latin would lose there. In this price range, the offer, which consists of Polo 2, 3 and 4th generation is very limited in both petrol and diesel. Worse, between the broken ones, the broken mechanics and the mileages close to 200,000 km or more, nothing is really attractive. Better to just move on.
From €3,100 to €5,000
The Polo 4 and restyled Polo 4 (summer 2005) make up the offer. And if gasoline versions are in the majority, some diesels are also offered and will please enthusiasts. Good news, the mileage is more reasonable, as is the condition of the vehicles. As for the petrol engines, the 1.2 55 hp and 65 hp dominate the offer, followed by the 1.4 75 hp. Of the diesels, the 1.4 TDI 70 hp is the most offered, followed by 75 hp and 80 hp.
We saw a Polo 1.2 65 hp 5 p. from September 2006 with 105,900 km on the clock for €3,300.
In diesel, another individual offers the 1.4 TDI 70 hp 3p. from July 2008 with 110,200 km for €4,900.
From €5,100 to €7,000
If the restyled Polo 4 and the Polo 5 share ads in almost 65% of the diesel proposals, the ones that show the most reasonable mileage on this type of fuel are the Polo 4 powered by the 1.7 TDI block which 70hp. On the other hand, the 5th generation, with the 1.6 TDI 90 hp, shows larger numbers on their counters, often higher than the annual average. This explains the attractive prices at which they are sold, taking into account the loss of mileage. And the sentence also applies to some 1.2 60 hp and 70 hp gasoline versions. Therefore, it is better to turn to opus 4. As for the choice, we found a 1.4 TDI 70 hp 5 p. Trend from October 2008 with 110,000 km on the clock for €6,000. Essentially, given the 1.4 16 V 75 hp Confort 5p. from September 2005 with 74,200 km for €5,500.
from €7,100 to €9,000
In this price category, the Polo 5 imposes itself, both on petrol and on diesel. But if many versions running on unleaded, mainly 1.2 60 hp, have mileage below 100,000 km, count between 100,000 km and 110,000 km for a 1.6 TDI 90 hp diesel engine.
We unearthed a Polo 5 1.2 70 hp Trendline 5p from a professional. from March 2010 with 75,900 km for €7,800. In diesel, a professional offers the Polo 5 1.6 TDI 90 bhp Confortline 5p. October 2010 and 108,000 km for €8,100. It is a first hand, guaranteed for 12 months. It’s not bad.
From €9,100 to €11,000
The queens of the offer in this budget class are the Polo 5 and the restyled Polo 5 (May 2014). And good news, diesel is just as fuel efficient. But if odometer readings drop below 80,000 km for many petrol engines, they still struggle to show below 100,000 km for diesels. On the mechanical side, there is a 1.2 60 hp and 70 hp as well as a 1.2 TSI 90 hp. On the diesel side, there are mainly 1.4 TDI 90 hp and 1.6 TDI 90 hp. We found a 1.2 60 bhp Lounge 5p. from May 2015 with 77,800 km for €9,900. This is a first hand sold by an individual. For €1,000 more, we found a 1.2 TSI 90 bhp Confortline 5p. of January 2017. It traveled 60,100 km.
On the diesel side, a 1.4 TDI 90 hp Lounge 5p was spotted. from May 2015 with 104,700 km at €11,000.
From €11,100 to €13,000
If the 5th opus of the Polo still dominates the offer, that is, the mileage of the diesel versions becomes interesting, falling below 100,000 km or even 80,000 km. As for the engines, nothing really new. We mainly look for the 1.4 TDI 90 hp and in gasoline, the 1.2 TSI 90 hp but also the three-cylinder 1.0 of 60 hp and 75 hp. But enthusiasts looking for the Polo 6 may be rubbing their hands as it appears shy. However, at this price, they have to make the entry-level petrol engines, namely the 1.0 75 hp and the 1.0 MPI 65 hp. For €12,000, a professional is offering a Polo 5 1.2 TSI 90 bhp Confortline 5p. from March 2017. A first hand with only 49,000 km on the odometer and guaranteed for 12 months. At a similar price, we found a Polo 5 1.4 TDI 90 hp Confortline 5p in a pro. from March 2017 with 79,600 km. It is guaranteed for one year.
On the side of the Polo 6, a 1.0 MPI 65 hp Trendline 5p was spotted. from November 2018 with 36,200 km for €12,000.
From €13,100 to €15,000
At these prices and not surprisingly, 65% of the offer consists of Polo 6 petrol and diesel. However, diesel enthusiasts will have to bet on a budget closer to €15,000 if they want a model without too many kilometers. On the other hand, for fans of unleaded, the entry check will be more affordable.
So, an individual sells a 1.0 TSI 95 hp Trendline 5p. from July 2019 with 26,000 km on the clock for €13,500.
As mentioned above, for a diesel you have to up the ante by around €1,500. Found a 1.6 TDI 95 hp Confortline 5p. from January 2019 with 39,600 km for €15,000.
Over €15,000
A wide choice of petrol but less on diesel (the Polo diesel is out from 2021). Vehicles less than three years old and with low mileage. Among the petrol proposals, the TSI blocks dominate with 95 hp leading the announcements followed by equal 110 hp and 115 hp. Return, the 150 hp.
Found a 1.0 TSI 95 hp Lounge 5p. from December 2020 with 31,000 km at €15,500.
If you dream of a more powerful Polo, count on a balance of more than 2000 €. Found a 1.0 TSI 115 hp Confortline 5p. from September 2019 to €17,900.
Are Poles reliable?
Polo 4
Electric windows
Note the chronic failures of electric window motors (blockages, defective controls) in versions before restyling.
gearbox
Rare mechanical gearbox replacements on the Polo from 2002 to 2005.
Polo 5
Injectors
On the 1.6 TDI 75 bhp and 90 bhp, the injectors are fragile (clicking). In most cases, they need to be replaced.
Timing chain
On the 1.2 TSI 105 bhp, the timing chain can loosen and produce clicking noises at idle and when accelerating. To be checked quickly to prevent its damage leading to irreversible engine damage.
EGR valve
In the 1.2 TDI, 1.6 TDI 75 hp and 90 hp, there are many failures that require the replacement of the EGR cooling radiator.
DSG7 auto box
Sometimes it is noisy without affecting its proper functioning. An oil change may alleviate the problem. If the noises continue, the box will need to be changed. Must be checked during the exam.
Air conditioner
Rare compressor replacements. Test the air conditioning during a test drive.
Polo 6
Apple Car Play
Impossible to use Bluetooth phone and unexpected screen blackout. Reprogramming the system resolves the incident.
Tire pressure sensor
Incorrect dashboard information. Reprogramming resolved the incident.
THE BALANCE SHEET
City cars par excellence but also good road cars, the Polo 4, 5 and 6 are worth a detour. Especially since the prices at which they are sold are not excessive despite a booming second-hand market since the beginning of 2022. But this does not prevent you from comparing them and maybe even getting a Polo 5 for the price of a 4 or even a 6 for the price of a 5. It remains to judge their reliability. And there, our box mainly points to the 5th generation. If he certainly has a rather turbulent career, you should not drive him away from your choices. The mechanical damage it suffered mainly affected the Polo from 2009 to 2014. Then it will be necessary to buy them with the utmost caution. The rule: a test in a long course is necessary…!
