- Reliability Index score out of 100
- 69
- VW Polo Series average repair cost
- £791
- Most regular repair request
- Cooling System
- Average age at repair
- 7 years
- Average mileage at repair
- 60,487 miles
The UK’s 8th most popular used car
Famous for being sensible and capable, it’s not surprising to see that the Volkswagen Polo has secured a spot as one of the UK’s most popular used cars. A total of 155,100 used Polo sales took place in 2023 [1], but does that mean it’s reliable?
The Volkswagen Polo scored a very admirable 69 out of 100 against our criteria, which is the second highest reliability score out of all ten most popular used cars. So, what does that mean for motorists?
What does our Reliability Index data say?
According to our data, the most regular repair request is for the cooling system, the area responsible for managing the temperature of the engine. Signs of faults can include a rising temperature gauge, white exhaust smoke, steam coming from the bonnet. Due to the fact the cooling system looks after the engine, faults and repairs can be complicated, costly, and time consuming.
To maintain your car’s cooling system, regularly check coolant levels, inspect for leaks, and flush and replace coolant as recommended. Monitor engine temperature while driving, service the water pump as needed, and address overheating issues promptly. If unsure, seek professional inspection during routine servicing.
What is the average age of the Volkswagen Polo when faults occur?
Our index data reveals that the average age of a Volkswagen Polo at the time of requested repairs is 7.44 years
What is the average mileage of the Volkswagen Polo when faults occur?
The average Polo mileage at the time of repair requests is 60,487 miles. Most motors will run smoothly between the benchmark of 50,000 – 80,000 miles [2]. The Volkswagen Polo sits in the lower half of this scale, but it’s still well above the bottom of the benchmark, which suggests that the Polo is reasonably reliable. All cars have faults during their lifetime though, an extended warranty cover can help ensure you’re protected from any sudden repairs.
What are the running costs of the Volkswagen Polo?
Prices for a used Volkswagen Polo begin at around £5,000 and range up to about £20,000 which isn’t a bad starting point for a popular and trusted car. When it comes to fuel economy, the Polo can cover an average of 36-66 miles per gallon, so day-to-day running of the Polo could be quite inexpensive, depending on which model you get. The Volkswagen Polo is one of the cheapest cars to insure, with many models falling into group 1, making it an affordable option for new and young drivers.
The average price of repair requests we’ve received for a Volkswagen Polo is £791, and the most expensive Polo repair request we’ve received is £8,834.22! Repair costs like this can cause a lot of stress, but if you’re covered by an extended warranty, our friendly warranty experts can help ease the pressure and take care of everything for you.
How practical is the Volkswagen Polo?
The Volkswagen Polo, classified as a supermini, is an ideal option for drivers seeking a compact vehicle with slightly more space than a typical city car. The Polo does offer more interior space than others in its class, but three adult passengers in the back might still be a bit of a squeeze. If you have young children, they’ll be more than comfortable in the Polo, and the Isofix child seat fixings make securing car seats nice and easy.
The Volkswagen Polo’s small size is a huge selling point for some motorists, owing to the fact you can manoeuvre easily, and you’ll rarely have trouble parking. So, if you need a capable and comfortable small used car, the Polo is definitely one to consider – just make sure you’re protected by an extended warranty* in case you run into any problems.
Volkswagen owners who are looking for peace of mind are looking to Warrantywise to help protect them from unexpected repair costs. Don’t forget you’ll get unlimited repairs, 24/7 breakdown cover, car hire, onward travel and a UK call centre all as standard*. Check out our extended warranties for your Volkswagen.
Source
Warrantywise Reliability Index Scoring and Data: Rank is measured by repair request frequency, average vehicle age at the time of fault, average mileage and average labour time, from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2023, and includes vehicles between three and ten years old where there are a minimum of 250 cars on cover. Average repair costs collated over a period between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2023. Since the sample was selected, Warrantywise has seen a significant rise in the price of labour and parts, which will impact future repair costs. All data used is from Warrantywise’s proprietary internal research. Warrantywise believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.
Warranty FAQ’s.
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A car warranty, or an extended car warranty as you may also see it called, helps to cover the cost of fixing your car if something goes wrong with it, like a mechanical or electrical problem.
New cars usually come with a warranty that lasts for 3 years. This means the manufacturer will fix any problems covered under your plan during that time. After this period any repairs or problems will need to be fixed by the vehicle owner.
For peace of mind, and to help you manage repair costs effectively, you can purchase an extended warranty directly from a third-party car warranty provider such as Warrantywise after your manufacturer’s warranty expires.
Car warranties do not cover everything and you must read the plan terms and conditions before you take out the plan. For instance, most warranties will not cover accidental damage or natural wear and tear of a part.
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Warrantywise provide a discretionary warranty plan sometimes referred to as ‘non-insured’. Like insured warranties, discretionary cover must follow the terms of the service and maintenance warranty plan. Valid warranty repairs are always covered, for both insured & discretionary companies. A valid warranty repair in either case can’t be rejected.
A discretionary warranty allows for flexibility, it means we can assess repairs and use our discretion in areas that might not be clear-cut. As an additional measure Warrantywise has appointed Edd China as the final arbiter, in the event of a dispute Edd China has the final ‘discretion’.
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An extended car warranty from Warrantywise provides protection for your vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, shielding you from unexpected repair costs that can arise due to mechanical or electrical failures. With additional benefits including recovery, car hire and onward travel, to name but a few, our warranty gives you peace of mind, eliminating the stress and hassle associated with unforeseen repairs and expenses. With access to our network of approved repair centres, you can rely on professional and reliable repairs. By choosing Warrantywise, you can budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs with cover you can be confident in.
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Our retail plans are designed to provide the most comprehensive level of cover available for the age and mileage of your vehicle. We automatically select the most appropriate level of cover for your vehicle, which you can then tailor to meet your specific needs during the online quote process or by speaking with one of our team of warranty experts on 0800 001 4990, who will help you through the process.
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At Warrantywise, we aim to make the repair process hassle-free for everyone. When you choose one of our Authorised Repairers, we will handle the settlement of the repair cost directly with them, eliminating the need for you to make any payments. In most cases, you will have nothing to pay at the time of repair. However, if you decide to use an alternative garage or repairer, you may be required to pay the bill in full following an authorised repair. Rest assured, once the repair is verified, we will promptly reimburse you directly for the covered expenses. Our aim is to provide convenience and financial peace of mind throughout the repair journey.
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As long as your car has an up to date service history you don’t necessarily need to service the car before we put it on cover. However, if the vehicle doesn’t have evidence that the last service was performed at the correct time, then you will need to arrange to have the car serviced to the manufacturer’s recommendations before your warranty cover is effective. Please refer to Section G – Servicing your vehicle for full details.
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No, you don’t have to have a car inspected before it can go on cover.
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Our plans are available in lengths to suit your needs. From monthly cover to 12, 24 or 36 month plans.
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You can choose to pay for your plan in full, over 4 month or PAYG (monthly pay as you go).
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All Warrantywise plans come with a no question 30 day money back guarantee. You can cancel the plan at any time within the first 30 days and providing you have not requested that we meet the cost of any repairs, we will cancel the plan and refund your payment without deduction.
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We always recommend using one of our Approved Repairers. These repair facilities undergo careful monitoring to guarantee the best workmanship and service quality. However, we understand that you may have a preferred garage in mind. If that’s the case, please ensure they are VAT registered and follow our provided ‘Repairs Procedure’ outlined in the plan booklet. It’s also crucial to verify that their labor rate aligns with your warranty schedule.
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If, during a journey, your car suffers a breakdown within Great Britain you can telephone 0800 054 2174 (24h service) and we will arrange for an engineer to attend to provide roadside assistance and/or recovery to an Authorised Repairer or a Repairer of your choice. If your Vehicle suffers a breakdown whilst in the European Union, you will need to make your own recovery arrangements. We will reimburse you within our normal terms and limits for a validated repair
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It is important to stop driving the vehicle immediately, and call our repairs team on 01254 355102. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. In the case of an emergency breakdown out of hours, please call 0800 054 2174. If you continue to drive after you suspect a fault, it could invalidate your warranty. Rest assured, we are here to assist you throughout the process.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Electrical’ as: (1) concerned with, operating by, or producing electricity. This means it has to be powered by, use, or produce electricity in order to function. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that are not included with the main cover.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Mechanical’ as: (1) relating to or operated by a machine or machinery. (2) relating to physical forces or motion. This basically means it has to be a part that moves, is moved and/or is acted upon by something else that makes it do that motion. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that are not included with the main cover.
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If, during a journey, your Vehicle suffers a Breakdown within Great Britain you can telephone 0844 693 1910 (24h service) and we will arrange for an engineer to attend to provide roadside assistance and/or recovery to an Authorised Repairer or a Repairer of your choice. If your Vehicle suffers a breakdown whilst in the European Union, you will need to make your own recovery arrangements. We will reimburse you within our normal terms and limits for a validated repair.
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If you need to pay for a hire car, because your vehicle is off the road with a valid warranty repair, you can be reimbursed for up 10 days for car hire, please refer to your plan book for the amount per day.
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If you purchased your plan directly, then yes. If you sell your car, you can transfer the remainder of your warranty plan to your new vehicle. Depending on the make, age and mileage of your new car additional charges may apply. Call our admin team on 0800 001 4990 for full details.
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We take complaints very seriously and all complaints are thoroughly investigated by our Customer Relations Team. Our commitment to customer satisfaction means that if you are dissatisfied with the initial response, we have an escalation process in place to address your concerns further. We value your feedback and strive to continuously improve our services, ensuring that your experience with Warrantywise is of the highest standard. For more information on the escalation process, please refer to our complaints page. And if we cannot resolve your complaint between ourselves, you can refer it to Edd China for consideration in his role as Final Arbiter.
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All calls are answered directly from our UK offices by our knowledgeable and experienced customer advice teams. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that your enquiries and concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently. Our dedicated teams are here to assist you with any questions you may have, offering expert guidance and support.
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Edd China fulfils the role of independent arbiter, this means he has the final say over any dispute that we cannot resolve between ourselves, subject of course to your statutory rights.
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Quentin Willson was instrumental in working with Warrantywise from 2007 to 2023 to develop our extended warranty plans to ensure they are clear, transparent and comprehensive. In July 2023 he passed over the responsibility of final arbiter, on any issues we cannot resolve between ourselves, to Edd China who takes up the role and will use his ‘discretion’ to ensure a fair and equitable resolution on a case-by-case basis.