Don't buy a Polo without watching this!

They would have you believe they are BULLET PROOF! But it' simply not the case!

[christopherheritage]

Top Tips and shows why your business is doing so well because your open, honest, and why your continuing to be recommended! Keep up the fantastic work James.

[stevewhite]

Interesting you’re standing next to an R56 Mini which is renowned for timing chain issues. I had one and the cold start rattle began, had to change the chain at 70k miles even with a good history. Lack of oil changes and oil starvation in many cars ruins chains. Great advice and love that you point out chains aren’t always for life

[johnnorth]

German engines used to be bullet proof but then the accounts got to work and plastic components found their way into the engines as well as the outside. BMW and Audi engines also need extreme caution when buying for the same reason.

[alvinnaidoo]

South Africa here again. Currently driving a 2011 Polo sedan. 258000 kms on the clock. Engine has not been touched yet. 2 water pumps and an engine mount replacement is about the most major repairs done. Daily runner and very fuel efficient. Also own a vivo 1.6 tiptronic. A little heavier on the fuel . Keep them regularly serviced and they do carry on forever.

[cmecau]

As a Golf 6 victim, VW are not getting another penny out of me. I'd rather drive a Golf, but I'd rather own a Corolla.

[alexj]

My car is 20years old and it's passed its mot with no adviorys honestly amazing Honda civic ❤️

[leonismyname]

Interestingly, here in NZ, the reputation of the VAG cars is "horrendously unreliable mechanically", thus dramatic depreciation. While everyone who wants reliable, buys Japanese or Korean. The VW range is considered by nobody to be bulletproof. Good heads up about the cam chain 🙂

[ahmetbasman]

I'm in the trade and a smaller car dealer and can agree with 1.2 VW Polo's which is why I don't touch them however the 1.4 Petrol's are superb and use a cambelt instead of chain so highly recommend the 1.4's!

[neildaniel]

I've got a Fabia with the same engine, it's on 158K and I still don't have that noise (been listening out for it since I bought it new). I've always allowed the idle to settle on startup, even when warm, and the last mechanic who inspected the engine put it down to that and that I always use the correct oil for standard service intervals, it's much better for the tensioner than the longlife stuff that gets too thin as it ages. Have heard other engines making the rattle though, always scary when some people still think you have to give it some throttle on startup and it revs away!

[petrusswanepoel]

South Africa - I have been a VW owner for many year and also owned several models. As a hobby I would buy and restore Mk1 Golf's. The Polo in the Video is currently available in SA as a cheaper option and is labeled as the Polo Vivo. Their engine sizes vary from 1.4 and 1.6 4 cylinder with normal aspirated engines, also included is the top of the Vivo range with a 3 cylinder 999cc turbo charged engine. The 1.4 and 1.6 are reliable engines en economical, spare parts and service parts are cheap. There are lots of Polo's on SA roads, the Polo Vivo is also the best selling car in SA for many years. I recently purchased a second hand 2013 VW Polo 1.4 with 153000km's on the clock. The engine is in good shape, the body as well, there is some noise from the front suspension and the air conditioner pump is also making it's presence know with a humming sound when switched it. Will have those problems fixed in a week or two and then take it for COR. Out of the many VW's I owned, the one that stood out from the crowd was my Mk1 Gti, 1800cc 4 cylinder pocket rocket. Keep up the good work.

[reeced]

Usually excessive wear on cam chains is through lack of oil changes. Even with a "fully stamped service book" it does not mean it's actually been serviced that many times. Heard too many horror stories of fully serviced cars, engines eating themselves only to find out that the service stamp from a couple months back was clearly a fake judging by the oil and oil filter condition. Lots of short journeys won't help either as the oil will get contaminated with moisture so would need changes more frequently unless driven longer distance now and again.

[profrumpo]

Really enjoy your channel and your honesty. Wouldn't touch a VW or any of the nasty French makes either. Japanese or South Korean is all I would consider, currently running a Honda Jazz.

[bs]

chops, there was only issues with the earlier 1.2 engines of earlier polos. they have now replaced these engines and now fit belts to them. as the chains were poor quality and cracked. these were the 3 cylinder engines.. but the 1.2 tsi engines are now 4 cylinder, and much stronger with a turbo. anyone wanting a polo, go for the tsi. with over 50mpg. you have speed with economy. i love mine and intend to keep it for years to come. just service them and look after them. they are good cars. 😊

[ronnie]

Most common in the 1.2 3cyl's is stretched chain/worn tensioner or misfires due to burned exhaust valves. They can also make tappet noise when standing for a while as they are hydraulic

[obviscates]

You had me at Don't buy a Polo!!!!

[brucefraser]

problem with car makers is they push the limits with service intervals, these days some cars can do fifty thousand miles and only have one oil change, this IMO is what wrecks the timing chains, do a oil service every 8 to 10 thousand miles or every year and these timing chains will go on to a very high mileage, sadly these service intervals suits the fleet buyers

[Ragnar]

the 1.4 TSI petrols in Golf etc. were/are absolutely notorious for eating timing chains, some failed as early as below 10k miles (I seem to remember reading an account of one needing to be replaced at 3 or 4k km(!)). My parents have one that started rattling around 90k km and the garage said they caught it in the nick of time. The car seems to burn money even though it's neither that old nor has that many km - I think it's around 140k now and has been through a timing chain job, new brakes all round (EXPENSIVE), new front and (not sure about that) rear wheel bearings and a spontaneous massive coolant leak, a radiator hose just popped off on the motorway. The battery's also been entirely flat a few times but that might have been the battery itself - it was seven years old if I remember correctly and the car hasn't acted up since we replaced the battery in spring. If they ever replace it, the next one will be a Japanese car though! They've had Mitsubishis from 1986 and always loved them! One lasted from 1988 to 2012 and was then sold for 1500 Euros.

[Juian]

Ok so a vehicle technicain/MOT tetser speaking here, the timing chain tensioner on the 1.2MPi (3 cyinder) engine in that series polo is oil feed and tensions by using oil pressure, it also had a ratchet insside to maintain just enough tension on the chain to keep it from jumping teeth, it will not do that. the noise on start up is due to oil and pressure having drained away, hence the need for the ratchet. Its normal, engines with a new tensioner and chain will also make the noise if left sitting for a few days. I have a 19 plate Mazda 2 1.5 sky active with 39, 000miles on the clock, it very very well maintained but if left sitting for 2 or more days the chain is noisey untill full oil pressure is built of (about 2-3 seconds) very normal on mordern engines.

[whitemoor]

Been a long time since VW's were bullet proof unfortunately. My sister had a bread van Polo as her first car and that was pretty bullet proof but that's a long time ago!

[philcrampton]

With a fleet of small older cars for kids I make the following observations Polo 1.4 2008-2014 seems pretty solid engine, (timing belt though)got one with 130k on it, runs sweet enough and burns no oil. Corsa think oil changes are crucial got a 58 plate that’s never gone more than 7k on oil changes and chain is tight at 69k and sounds sweet (daughters friends same miles and age sounds dreadful) Yaris mk1 indestructible! 07 Fiesta 1.4 gave me a fright with oil consumption but think it was breather hose collapsing/PCV…. When the weather got very hot and a good run it just used to vanish but seems sorted (although used a drop)