Known APK problem
Volkswagen Polo V: leaks
On the Volkswagen Polo V the APK inspector finds leaks problems 80% more often than on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 10.0%, against about 5.6% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Leaks of oil, coolant or other fluids.
How to check it at the viewing
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
Ask the seller: Does the car lose oil or coolant?
By age
Share of inspected Volkswagen Polo Vs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Polo V | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 8 years | C | 0.6% | 0.5% | 1.2× |
| 9 – 10 years | C | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.0× |
| 11 – 12 years | C | 4.5% | 2.6% | 1.7× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 10.0% | 5.6% | 1.8× |
| 16+ years | C | 9.0% | 12.9% | 0.7× |
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 13–15 years
| Model | Leaks | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Polo V | 10.0% | 1.8× |
| Ford Fiesta VI | 3.1% | 0.6× |
| Toyota Yaris III | 0.5% | 0.1× |
| SEAT Ibiza IV | 11.8% | 2.1× |
| Peugeot 207 | 10.4% | 1.9× |
| Renault Clio III | 7.8% | 1.4× |
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 · Leaks: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Volkswagen Polo V often have leaks problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a leaks defect on 10.0% of inspected Volkswagen Polo Vs, against about 5.6% of all cars of the same age (1.8×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the leaks on a used Volkswagen Polo V?
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
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