Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2, 70 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €356 | €4,830 | 605 | Petrol | CGP | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.2, 60 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €356 | €4,300 | 497 | Petrol | CGP | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.2 TDI, 75 PS, 5-speed manual | €333 | €4,250 | 417 | Diesel | CFW | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.4, 85 PS, 5-speed manual | €375 | €4,999 | 256 | Petrol | CGG, CMA | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €330 | €4,299 | 228 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.2 TSI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €357 | €5,750 | 199 | Petrol | CJZ | Manual (5) | 2011–2014 |
| 1.2 TSI, 90 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €380 | €5,750 | 199 | Petrol | CJZ | Manual (6) | 2011–2014 |
| 1.2 TSI, 105 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €369 | €5,790 | 185 | Petrol | CBZ | Manual (6) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €349 | €3,499 | 167 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (5) | 2009–2010 |
| GTI, 180 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €397 | €8,490 | 130 | Petrol | CTH | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.4, 85 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €367 | €7,990 | 79 | Petrol | CGG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €337 | €4,200 | 79 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (5) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.2 TSI, 105 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €368 | €8,490 | 75 | Petrol | CBZ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2009–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 90 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €341 | €6,850 | 71 | Diesel | CAY | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2009–2014 |
Show all 14 variants
At a glance
- Years: the Polo V was built from 2009 to 2017. The 6C facelift came in 2014.
- Most common: the timing chain stretches on the 1.2 three-cylinder and on the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines.
- Gearbox: the DQ200 dry DSG can judder, jerk or lose drive. Clutch and mechatronic repairs cost a lot.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the timing chain and the DQ200 gearbox both fail on several engines.
- DIY: 2/5, because chain and gearbox work needs a workshop and a scanner.
- Prefer: a car with chain and gearbox service records. Avoid: a car with a rattle on cold start and no records.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.2 three-cylinder (CGPA, CGPB), 60 and 70 PS: the timing chain is the main issue. See timing chain below.
- 1.2 TSI (EA111, CBZB, CBZC): timing chain problems. See the EA111 guide.
- 1.4 TSI GTI (CAVE, CTHE), 180 PS, 2010 to 2014: chain and high oil use. See GTI chain and oil below.
- 1.4 16V (CGGB), 85 to 86 PS: no known issue on this page.
- 1.6 TDI (CAYA, CAYB, CAYC): EGR valve and particulate filter faults. See the EA189 guide.
- 1.2 TSI EA211 (belt-driven, from the 2014 facelift): see the EA211 guide.
- DQ200 7-speed dry DSG: see the DQ200 guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 three-cylinder timing chain | 1.2 three-cylinder, 60 and 70 PS (CGPA, CGPB) | Check at 100,000 to 120,000 km | 500 to 800 EUR (year not stated) |
| 1.2 TSI timing chain | 1.2 TSI EA111 (CBZB, CBZC), cars built until end 2013 | From 20,000 to 30,000 km | Not stated |
| 1.4 TSI GTI timing chain and oil use | 1.4 TSI GTI, 180 PS, 2010 to 2014 (CAVE, CTHE) | Not stated | Chain repair 887 EUR; engine overhaul 3,500 to 5,000 EUR (year not stated) |
| 1.6 TDI EGR valve | 1.6 TDI (CAYA, CAYB, CAYC) | Not stated | 380 to 720 EUR (year not stated) |
| 1.6 TDI particulate filter | 1.6 TDI (CAYA, CAYB, CAYC) | Not stated | New filter 1,500 EUR (year not stated); exhaust with filter 1,906 EUR (2025) |
| DQ200 gearbox faults | 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200) | 80,000 to 150,000 km | Clutch 1,000 to 1,800 EUR; mechatronic 1,200 to 2,800 EUR (year not stated) |
| Sill rust | Polo 6R and 6C | Not stated | Not stated |
| Airbag control unit fault | Polo 6R, model years 2014 and 2015 | Not stated | Not stated |
Before you buy
- DSG test drive. Pull away from a stop and change gear several times. Bad result: jerking, juddering or loss of drive. A clutch costs 1,000 to 1,800 EUR and a mechatronic unit 1,200 to 2,800 EUR (year not stated).
- DSG records. Ask for the gearbox service history. Bad result: no records, or a clutch or mechatronic repair without a receipt. A scanner reads codes P189C and P0841.
- DPF check. Scan for codes P2002 and P242F. Bad result: stored codes or limp mode. A new filter costs 1,500 EUR (year not stated).
- Chain on the 1.4 TSI GTI. Listen on a cold start. Bad result: a rattle. A chain repair costs 887 EUR (year not stated).
- 1.2 three-cylinder chain. Listen on a cold start and ask for chain work. Bad result: a rattle, stalling, or a jump. A chain job costs 500 to 800 EUR (year not stated).
- EGR valve. Scan for codes P0401 to P0403 and P0407. Bad result: codes, rough idle or limp mode. A new EGR costs 380 to 720 EUR (year not stated).
- Oil use on the 1.4 TSI GTI. Check the oil level after a long drive and ask for oil top-up records. Bad result: oil loss above about 1 litre per 1,000 km.
- 1.2 TSI chain (EA111). Listen on a cold start. Bad result: a rattle or rough running. Ask for service records.
- Airbag recall. Ask the dealer for proof that the airbag control unit work is done. Bad result: no proof on a 2014 or 2015 Polo 6R. Have the VIN checked.
- Sills. Lift the mud flaps and press the sill edges. Bad result: soft or holed metal.
Running costs
| Operational | €166 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €85 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €108 |
| Total per month | €359 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €45 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 3,073
- 25th percentile
- €3,800
- Median price
- €4,999
- 75th percentile
- €6,500
- Median mileage
- 156,491 km
- Median first registration
- 2011
- Dealer share
- 48.1%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €6,677
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
1.2 three-cylinder timing chain
The chain stretches. The plastic guide rails harden and crack. The engine rattles on a cold start. If the chain jumps, the engine stalls, runs rough or will not start. Garages advise inspection or a preventive chain job at about 100,000 to 120,000 km. The whole kit (chain, tensioner, guide rails) is replaced together.
Cost: 500 to 800 EUR for a chain job (year not stated). Parts (dealer, 2025): chain 03C109158A about 119 EUR; tensioner 03E109507AE about 77 EUR.
Sources: polo.blue, Motor-Talk owner thread, carwiki
1.2 TSI timing chain
The 1.2 TSI (EA111, codes CBZB and CBZC) can get a stretched chain and a faulty tensioner. A rattle on a cold start is a warning sign. Problems were reported at 20,000 to 30,000 km, on cars built until the end of 2013. A VW workshop fix (service action TPI 15D8) fits a new chain, a revised camshaft and a revised cover. Parts (dealer, 2025): kit 03F198229A about 127 EUR; cover 03F109210C about 108 EUR.
Sources: polo.blue, gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto Bild
1.4 TSI GTI timing chain and oil use
The GTI (1.4 TSI Twincharger, 180 PS, 2010 to 2014) has a stretching chain and high oil use. A cold rattle is a warning sign. Oil use is often above 1 litre per 1,000 km. CAVE was built until September 2012; CTHE is the improved engine.
Cost: chain repair 887 EUR; engine overhaul 3,500 to 5,000 EUR (year not stated).
Sources: Kfz-Dietrich, polo.blue, Auto Bild, gebrauchtwagenberater
1.6 TDI EGR valve
The EGR valve (it feeds exhaust gas back into the engine) can fail. Signs: rough idle, limp mode, and codes P0401 to P0403 and P0407. The newest EGR part for the 1.6 TDI (03L131512DP) costs about 510 EUR (dealer, 2025). An EGR repair costs 380 to 720 EUR (year not stated).
Sources: polo.blue, Kfz-Dietrich
1.6 TDI particulate filter
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps soot. On the 1.6 TDI it can clog and put the car into limp mode, with codes P2002 and P242F. A new filter costs 1,500 EUR (year not stated). Exhaust with the filter: 1,906 EUR (dealer, 2025).
DQ200 gearbox faults
The DQ200 (7-speed dry clutch DSG) can jerk, judder, slip or suddenly lose drive. A scanner often shows the codes P189C and P0841. Repairs: new clutches K1 and K2, a repair or replacement of the mechatronic unit (the gearbox's hydraulic and electronic control unit), or new software. Wear was reported at 80,000 to 150,000 km. Clutch 1,000 to 1,800 EUR; mechatronic 1,200 to 2,800 EUR (year not stated).
Sources: polo.blue, Kfz-Dietrich, Auto Bild, JustCars
Sill rust
Sills rust from long mud flaps, blocked drains and road salt. The rusted sill usually has to be replaced in full. No repair price is given.
Airbag control unit fault
A faulty acceleration sensor in the airbag control unit can trigger the airbag by mistake. In Austria, 868 cars of the Polo 6R and e-up! (model years 2014 and 2015) were recalled. VW replaces the control unit.
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | not given | Polo 6R, model years 2011 to 2014 | Diesel fuel filter replaced |
| Austria | not given | Polo 6R and e-up!, model years 2014 and 2015 | Airbag control unit replaced |
| Australia | not given | VW cars with the DQ200 gearbox, including the Polo, built June 2008 to September 2011 | Mechatronic unit replaced at no cost; latest software |
Have the VIN checked with a VW dealer for open recalls before you buy.
Maintenance
Keep dated invoices for timing chain, DSG and DPF work, with the mileage on each. Check the oil level often on the 1.4 TSI GTI, because oil use is high. Ask a workshop to scan for stored codes before you agree a price.