VW Polo III facelift 1.4, 60 PS, 5-speed manual (1999–2001)

Research for this car

• Generation guide VW Polo III 6N (1994-2001): known problems and buying guide

  Average reliability with a few known faults. Check the heater on early petrols, the gearbox and the 2002 brake line recall before you buy.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Heater on the early petrols. Ask for proof of the auxiliary heater ("Zusatzheizung") on the crankcase vent. Bad result: no heater on a car built before 2000, and no record of a retrofit.
2. Gearbox noise and shifting. Drive through every gear, cold and warm, and listen for whining or squeaking. Bad result: whine, squeak or hard shifts.
3. Gearbox oil level. Ask when the gearbox oil was last changed, and check the level on a lift. Bad result: low oil or no record.
4. Exhaust and catalytic converter. Check the exhaust on a lift for holes, flaking rust and loose brackets. Bad result: holes or rust at the joints or the catalytic converter. No tools needed.
5. Recall VIN check. Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns, and for proof that the 2002 brake booster line check was done. Bad result: no proof.
6. Lifter rattle. Start the engine cold and listen at the top of the engine. Bad result: a ticking rattle that does not fade once the engine is warm.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions