Known APK problem

Volkswagen Polo V: control arms / ball joints

On the Volkswagen Polo V the APK inspector finds control arms / ball joints problems 50% more often than on cars of the same age: at 16+ years 3.1%, against about 2.1% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Worn bushes or ball joints in the suspension.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

Ask the seller: Have the control arms or ball joints been replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Volkswagen Polo Vs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	Polo V	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
7 – 8 years	A	0.4%	0.3 – 0.6%	0.5%	0.8×	7,773
9 – 10 years	A	0.4%	0.3 – 0.4%	1.0%	0.4×	27,842
11 – 12 years	A	0.5%	0.4 – 0.5%	1.3%	0.4×	25,496
11 – 12 years	C	0.7%	0.7 – 0.9%	1.2%	0.6×	25,496
13 – 15 years	A	1.0%	0.9 – 1.1%	2.0%	0.5×	55,864
13 – 15 years	B	0.9%	0.8 – 0.9%	1.1%	0.8×	55,864
13 – 15 years	C	1.2%	1.1 – 1.3%	2.0%	0.6×	55,864
16+ years	A	1.5%	1.3 – 1.8%	3.0%	0.5×	9,655
16+ years	B	3.1%	2.8 – 3.5%	2.1%	1.5×	9,655
16+ years	C	1.6%	1.4 – 1.9%	4.0%	0.4×	9,655

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 16+ years

Model	Control arms / ball joints	Vs. national
Volkswagen Polo V	3.1%	1.5×
Ford Fiesta VI	7.8%	2.9×
SEAT Ibiza IV	1.5%	0.5×
Peugeot 207	1.9%	0.7×
Renault Clio III	3.4%	1.2×
Opel Corsa D	0.7%	0.2×

Looking at a Volkswagen Polo V? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Volkswagen Polo Vs of the same age.

All weak spots of the Volkswagen Polo V · Control arms / ball joints: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Volkswagen Polo V often have control arms / ball joints problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 16+ years the inspector found a control arms / ball joints defect on 3.1% of inspected Volkswagen Polo Vs, against about 2.1% of all cars of the same age (1.5×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the control arms / ball joints on a used Volkswagen Polo V?

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know