MOT Advisory Notes - VW POLO

mcjordi

yeah springs will only fail if incorrectly seated or snapped/broken..

i was pricing based on the older polo ( 97/98 shape) wishbone is a suspension arm so will cover one of the suspension arm bush deteriorated..
go on to eurocarparts.com and put in reg and get some prices.. youll be suprised how cheap repairs can be done.. tbh it wouldnt put me buying the car...

Hammyman

Half of those advisories are nonsense - in fact pretty much all of them are. The springs have a bit of surface rust on them because they're old. The exhaust isn't brand new. Both are "so what?" but the garage put them down in the hope of generating some money.

All the bushes are just showing signs of their age. It is the surface of the rubber going dry. If its not split and there's no movement, there's no problem. It has no bearing on the way the car has been looked after.

Hammyman

Kilty wrote: »

With a fair part of the suspension system on it's way out, I'd say it'll get quite costly all at once. Also makes me wary of the owner's attitude towards maintainance.

What utter poppycock. There is nothing wrong with that car. All of those are just signs that they're getting on. They're not shot, merely showing signs of age. There is no sign of any bad attitude towards maintenance. All of those parts are good enough to pass an MOT.

Would you change the exhaust on your car just because it was a year old and didn't look like new anymore even though it was working quite well? No.

Your comment speaks more about your ignorance of mechanics and willingness to be ripped off by a garage than anything else.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Just had a suspension arm fitted to my Saab for the MOT. Same problem, worn bush. I was dreading the bill for parts, but it came in at £40.... Inc vat and delivery. Labour costs are the same regardless of make. Cheaper to fit the whole arm rather than plss about with re-bushing. The bonus with older cars is the availability of pattern parts.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Personally, I ignore advisory points like these. But if you're worried, use it as a bargaining tool and either put what you save/chuck a fiver a week into a savings account until the next MOT. If it fails then, you have the funds. If it doesn't, you have a really good night out!

manutd99

Thanks so much guys. seem more optimistic now. had a word with a friend who im gonna take along later today. he said when you go on humps you can tell about the suspension. it may make a squeking noise if bushes are going. he said he's not brill at cars but knows the basics and should be able to tell roughly about suspension when on humps.

For the price plus diesal dont want to let it go because of minor issues which can be fixed.

Full Service History - Mainly VW

so if fsh - seems well looked after

Go and see later today

Hammyman

Squeaking noise means they're a bit dry, not that they're defective. A knocking noise means they're worn.

manutd99

Bought the car. Managed to knock £150 off the car so got a good price.
Suspension seems fine. No noises and goes over humps no problem. Going to show to a mechanic and see what he thinks.

manutd99

A few other minor issues

1) Windscreen wiper keeps on turning on for no reason. According to the seller - a common fault.
He has bought stalk and he said the stalk needs replacing.
Only realised when i got home it seems like he has tried to change/fix as the place where it goes in (plastic part) is partially broken as it doesnt shut properly
so is that easy to fix?

2) the handbrake when applied is very high.
Is that easy to fix. persume this is.
Seems like he tried to fix this as well as the plastic around will not shut either.

So hope both can be fixed and plastic part around both can be fixed as ver lose and doesnt like nice

Other than that the car seems very good

mcjordi

handbrake will either need adjusting or new shoes.. easy job

as for the wiper im not too sure perhaps sign up to a polo/vw owners club they would be able to advise/ often members offer to help.. i know i do on the fiesta owners club..