Hatchback · 2014–2021

VolkswagenPolo

Supermini with Golf-like cabin quality. Polo GTI is the spicy one; most UK cars are 1.0 TSI manuals that just work.

Best for: First-car buyers and urban petrol drivers.

Indicative running costs ~£1,998–£2,840 / year

Power: 95 hp
Economy: 48–55 mpg
Fuel: Petrol
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Often 185/65 R15 – 215/40 R17 (GTI)

Tyre pressure (cold)

Typically ~30–36 PSI cold (door sticker)

Engine oil

TSI/TDI: often VW 504 00 / 507 00

Oil capacity

About 3.5–4.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Volkswagen Polo at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£1,998–£2,840 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£959/yr @ 55 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£240–£400 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£100–£260 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

8 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
S / SE 1.0 MPI Basic naturally aspirated petrol. 1.0 MPI · 50–58 mpg	1.0 MPI	65–75 hp	50–58 mpg	~£195*
SE / Match 1.0 TSI Most common modern Polo. 1.0 TSI · 50–55 mpg	1.0 TSI	95 hp	50–55 mpg	~£195*
SEL / Beats Audio/kit packs. 1.0 TSI · 48–55 mpg	1.0 TSI	95–115 hp	48–55 mpg	~£195*
R-Line Sport looks, same engines. 1.0 TSI · 48–55 mpg	1.0 TSI	95–115 hp	48–55 mpg	~£195+*
1.4 TDI Diesel supermini — check DPF. 1.4 TDI · 65–75 mpg	1.4 TDI	75–90 hp	65–75 mpg	~£195*
Polo GTI (6C / AW) Pocket rocket. DSG history and tyres. 1.8 / 2.0 TSI · 38–42 mpg	1.8 / 2.0 TSI	180–200 hp	38–42 mpg	~£195*
Polo GTI+ / Edition Higher kit GTI variants. 2.0 TSI · 38–42 mpg	2.0 TSI	200 hp	38–42 mpg	~£195*
DSG Service the gearbox oil on schedule. 7-speed DSG · Varies	7-speed DSG	95–200 hp	Varies	~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.0 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeOften 185/65 R15 – 215/40 R17 (GTI)

Tyre pressureTypically ~30–36 PSI cold (door sticker)

OilTSI/TDI: often VW 504 00 / 507 00

Oil capacityAbout 3.5–4.5 litres

ULEZMost petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Buying a used Polo

1Polo GTI: DSG history and tyre wear
2Check coil packs on higher-mileage TSI
3Water pump leaks are a known inspection point

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Coil pack and misfire warnings on higher-mileage cars
Water pump and thermostat housing leaks
Door lock and window regulator failures

Volkswagen Polo FAQs

Is a used Volkswagen Polo expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£1,998–£2,840 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Volkswagen Polo need?

Typically ~30–36 PSI cold (door sticker). Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Volkswagen Polo take?

TSI/TDI: often VW 504 00 / 507 00. Capacity is About 3.5–4.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Volkswagen Polo problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Coil pack and misfire warnings on higher-mileage cars; Water pump and thermostat housing leaks. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Volkswagen Polo ULEZ compliant?

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Owner handbook

Official Volkswagen manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Volkswagen manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More Volkswagen

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1.4 TSI

Tiguan

2.0 TDI

ID.3

Electric

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN