Before anyone says they didn't do one - yes they did.
My son is thinking about buying it but it's been stood for some time because it will fire but won't run.
My mate, who's a VW indie, has tried most things including hooking up a VW comparable diagnostic to it without success.
Any one any ideas please? The mate thinks it's the ECU - not being into electronics I'm a bit lost as to how we can track down the fault.
Any sensible (you know who you are) suggestions welcomed.
Cheers, Pewe

Duff injector pump?

Or, as is common with the polo...the imobiliser is FUBAR

Thanks, Teg. Further enquiries suggest it will fire up then not restart unless it's been run 'till it's hot. Stop before it's hot and it gives up the ghost.
Cheers, Pewe.

VWs did have a problem with coil packs a few years ago, but the diagnostics would pick that up I'd have thought.

Coolant temperature sensor is a common problem which may cause the symptoms you have. Might be worth looking on a veedub forum?

My daily is a 1.4 TC Golf (S reg), a usual fault is the throttle body carbon build up. First it stops the car idling properly, and it will stall on the over run, heavier deposits may cause your problems. It is a dead easy fix, just remove and clean.