She is looking at buying a cheapo £500 run around.. 90.000 miles. Looks good on photos (but dont they always)

Are there any common faults I need to look out for?

Cheers
Andi

[Edited on 26/10/10 by Andi]

My youngest has one (1995 I think) and has a fairly bad water leak. Around the back of the engine (driver's side). Not sure what it is yet but needs looking at fairly pronto I reckon. Don't know if it's a common thing but worth a look, it's fairly obvious if there is on as it's very rusty coloured staining.

HTH

1985? really?

You'll get a much newer 106/Saxo for that sort of money. Just paid £300 for a 97 106D

I'm guessing you mean 1995 since the 1.3 engine was the biggest in the Mk2 Polo. My Mum has a very low mileage 1996 Seat Ibiza with the same 1.4 motor and its ok although it is now starting to rust and things are slowly seizing-up. This may be in part to a lack of use and care - she seldom washes the thing.

quote:

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Originally posted by blakep82
1985? really?

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gearboxes. The 3 I know of made that sort of time all had gearbox issues. 10minute fix to file a selector rod burr (or something). BUT you have to strip the gearbox first
Check it goes into all gears easily......

[Edited on 26/10/10 by cliftyhanger]

I had a 1996 GL for a couple of years... pretty well made, nice and easy to work on... belts can be a little noisy..

Built to last unlike some of the other cack...

Never had GB issues with it.. had to replace a rad and front suspension bushes...

Now have a 2001 polo which uses an almost identical floorpan... but with 130hp

[Edited on 26/10/10 by tegwin]

Theyr good cars but they rust around the arches etc. As said gearboxes are common but if it changes gear smoothly then youl be ok. 500 quid sounds fair if its tidy and has history. Much better than the french keck. The 106 etcs are good engines but the rest lets them down and smaller than the polo.

Piece of wee to work on and the bits are cheap from the likes of GSF and euro car parts.

I got a 1.6 with a knackered engine in to fix for the wife. Took me 3 hours to change the engine. Easy. Then she didnt want it. That was a 96 with 120k on it and no history. sold it for 650 could have got more.