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![New Volkswagen Polo [86C] (1990 - 1999) review](https://ssl.caranddriving.com/f2/images/used/big/vwpolo-1984.jpg)
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The Polo was the car that Volkswagen always hoped would repeat the success of the larger Golf, the company's Escort-sized family hatch. And the reasoning was good; a smaller more compact version of the same thing was what we got in the Seventies. It never really took off here.
The second generation Polo, launched in 1981 and facelifted in 1990, did slightly better, but the rather crude mechanicals and the lack of a five-door option always restricted its impact on the British market. All that changed in 1994 with the announcement of a completely new Polo range with everything on the UK buyer's wish list; three and five doors, saloons, diesels, automatics, a 16-valve hot hatch - even a clever retractable electric opening top. The Polo had at last arrived.
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What you get
Arguably, the classiest small hatch on the market; even the decade-old ones look good, despite their crude underpinnings. The distinctive boxy shape of the second-generation hatch is roomy. The new-shape Polo (post-'94) has been a huge success story for Volkswagen and represents a superb used small car buy.
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What to look for
Not much goes wrong with the post-'94 Polo, but look for starting and misfire problems on early examples and look for oil leaks through the head gasket on hard-used one-litre cars. A full Volkswagen service history is very desirable.
Otherwise, the main attention here has to focus on the 1990-1994 second generation car. Rust sometimes starts on the valance below the front bumper and bonnet edge. Also check the front wings and tailgate (which can leak). Transmissions are good, but check the driveshaft gaiters (rubber couplings on the front wheels) for splits and leaks.
Check the suspension struts for leaks and watch for blue smoke from the exhaust (which means the valve guides and seals need replacing). The interior trim can be flimsy; check the headlight switches in particular.
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Replacement parts
(Approx. based on a 1994 1.0L excluding Vat) An exhaust system is about £120. A clutch assembly will be around £50, whilst a new catalyst will be just under £270. An alternator should be close to £90 and a radiator around £90.
A starter motor is around £100 and a front wing around £80. Brake pad sets front and rear are about £12 and £14, respectively. A new headlamp is close to £75. A windscreen (tinted) should be in the region of £60. Major and minor services cost around £35 and £75 respectively.
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On the road
These aren't great fun to drive (unless you're in a 1.4 or post-'94 1.6 Polo). Second generation cars had vague and heavy steering. The 1.05-litre engine was slow and geared for economy. The supercharged G40 is quite fast, but wild, and attracts horrendous insurance premiums.
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Overall
What a difference between second and third/fourth generation cars! The earlier Polo is quite sound if you buy carefully, but it's mechanically crude and poorly equipped plus there are plenty of rogue examples about. The new generation Polo is one of the best small cars ever made; if you can afford one, you shouldn't go wrong.
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