Volkswagen Polo Problems

If you've had to top-up the coolant twice in four weeks I'd suggest that your problems haven't been fixed and that you should take the car back to whoever supposedly repaired it and have them do the job properly. As for a "safe" option I can't really recommend one, except to say that I would avoid the DSG gearbox. The only "safe" option is to buy another brand, and in that case I would suggest a Japanese brand, such as Mazda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, all of which have a good record of reliability.

Mazda2, from a classy brand and great against its size and price rivals; Hyundai i20, great value and probably still with some of the factory warranty; Volkswagen Polo, not necessarily to buy but to provide a quality benchmark for the others.

It's usually because the wiper blades are not flipping over as they change direction at the end of the stroke, so they're effectively travelling at the wrong angle to the screen. Check the arms to see if there is a reason they are not flipping over. Did you use VW blades when you replaced them? If not try the factory blades. You could also try cleaning the screen and then using something like Rain-X.

Times have really changed at Volkswagen Australia. CEO Michael Bartsch has personally intervened in this case and is organising a like-for-like replacement to keep you in the family.

I contacted VW Australia and got a result you will like. Spokesman Karl Gehling says: "We have been in touch with this customer and, based on his experience, we have offered to buy back his car. He has accepted this offer and plans to buy a new Polo GTI."

Our consumer protection laws do have provisions for getting your money back or getting a replacement car, but it's not easy and you're likely to be drawn into a long and protracted process to make it happen. At the moment I would go along with VW's plan to replace the gearbox and go from there. Keep good records of what has happened to date, conversations you've had with the dealer and dealer staff, and VW, and maintain the record going forward so you have all the facts if it does prove to be an on-going issue.

It's not uncommon to hear of excessive oil consumption on the Polo GTI. The first course of action is to take it to the dealer and have them do another oil consumption test on it. I agree with you, oil consumption of 750 ml per 2000 km is too much. If the dealer can't help go directly to VW and ask head office to intervene. In the meantime we will contact VW and ask for their response.

The Veloster has just had an update and is better, the A1 is all right but the Polo is a ripper little thing that gets The Tick and is my choice.