Overall difficulty rating
The simplicity and popularity of Volkswagen’s once entry-level supermini hasn’t been lost on the fifth-generation seen here (the Mk6 appeared in 2017 and is still in production), which despite being larger than a Mk1 Golf, is surprisingly easy to work on when it comes to routine servicing. There are a few niggles however, such as the ridiculous design of the filler hole for the engine oil of the 1197cc TSI engine. It’s in the top of the camshaft cover, just like most engines, but doesn’t sit proud, so there’s not much space around it in which to position a jug or can to pour oil into it. Luckily, AES York has an adaptor that screws into the top of the camshaft cover and saves on accidently pouring oil all over the nearby coil packs.
The air filter is securely located inside a housing that’s quite awkward to access. If the over-strong spring clips that secure the induction hoses attached to the housing don’t make you lose your temper (they are vicious and Mark at AES fractured a finger when one let go once), the overcomplicated clips that hold the housing together certainly will. Otherwise, everything else seems to be well designed and logical.
Mark says
► Renewing the timing belt on the Polo’s 1.2 petrol engine isn’t as straightforward as it may seem because it needs to be correctly timed-up with special tools that are fitted to the back of the camshafts.
