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I am looking at purchasing a 2001 VW Polo 1.4 with 22,000 (genuine) km's on the clock.

It is a German assembled car exported to Japan and now on sale here as a used import.

How reliable and economical is this make and model in your experience?

I am getting conflicting opinions!

Peter

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 22 August 2008

We achieved 5.7 L/100 in a new shape Polo with the same engine so the previous model should be able to achieve close to this figure.

Reliability wise, we have heard of the odd electrical / auxiliary issues, more so on the imported models.

One of the downsides of any import is the lack of any reliable service history and this can cause problems later in life regardless of a cars build quality or perceived value.

The other important point we are finding more and more with vehicles imported from Japan is the difference in specification levels when compared to the equivalent or similiar NZ new models.

Quite often the on-board engine management mapping is different for example which can make parts and technical info a little more difficult to procure.

A phone call to your local VW dealer may confirm this one way or the other.

Be careful, just because it was assembled in Germany doesn't make it bullet proof.