Volkswagen Polo MKIV

Full step-by-step DIY service guide.

The fourth generation of Volkswagen’s small but very successful Polo debuted in early 2002, following its launch at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. Previous generations of the car, originally born in 1975, established a solid reputation for the supermini, so this Type 9N variant had big boots to fill, which it managed to do pretty well.

Several engines were available at launch: petrol versions were a 1.2-litre three-cylinder in 6- or 12-valve form and a 1.4-litre 16-valve unit; diesel versions were 1.9 litres, with or without a turbocharger. A revamp in 2005 introduced new headand tail-lights, plus a different hatchback, to bring the car more in line with other VW models. This refresh also saw the arrival of a GTI variant, with its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine giving 148bhp. A later incarnation, the Cup Edition, boasted 177bhp and 140mph.

The car here is an entry-level 59bhp 1.2-litre petrol model, a very common sight on British roads. A bonus with this type is that there’s no cambelt to worry about, as a timing chain does the honours.

Maintenance is pretty straightforward – at least, up till you have to check the power steering fluid – and, being a Volkswagen, you shouldn’t find too many issues that hold things up, unless a car has been greatly abused. In fact, this service turned out to be a bit of a breeze, completed in under three hours.