UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hey, new to this forum but just wanted a bit of advice. Have had my MK4 1996 Polo for around a year now and has been SORN for 6 months (money issues) Just put it back through it's MOT and have has failed due to 10 faults. Have had a quote from the Garage (reputable, not rip off merchant) of £656.60 inc VAT for parts and labour. This is out of the question as it is only a 1.0L and not worth anymore than £800/£900. Question is, the following faults are they DIY-able or are any of them specifically only for a Garage? Will be doing this as a project over the next 3/4months as I want to sell the car on for as much as possible rather than scrapping. Would you say I should just Scrap? Bite the bullet and pay a garage or DIY it? I'm handy with simple tasks on cars and have friends who can help but have no experience with a Polo.

Faults
1. Nearside Front Coil Spring Incomplete [2.4.C.1a](I presume it would be best to replace both?)
2. Nearside Rear wheel bearing feels rouch when rotated [2.6.1]
3. Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play [2.6.2]
4. Offside Rear wheel bearing feels rough when rotated[2.6.1]
5. Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play [2.6.2]
6. Nearside (front to rear) Brake pipe excessively corroded [3.6.B.2c]
7. Offside (front to rear) Brake pipe excessively corroded [3.6.B.2c]
8. Offside rear Brake pipe excessively corroded [3.6.B.2c]
9. Nearside rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect [2.7.5]
10. Exhause emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive [7.3.2b] (Needs new Cat)

The bearings and the brake pipes are the only parts I've never touched on a car, are they easy to replace or would I need a garage to do them?

Thanks in advance

Chek

I've also had no experience with doing my own wheel bearings, or changing the brake hoses. But I'd say it's all something you could very much do yourself if you put the effort in.

I know you mentioned its a reputable garage. But maybe check the brake lines out yourself. I was in a rush on my last MOT and the garage failed all the brake lines same as yours their. Put the car up on a mates ramp and the lines only have surface rust which could be scoured off and sprayed with protection. And from what I was told the brake lines is a fairly simple task but takes time. SO if they were actually fully corroded and you did it yourself, you would save yourself alot from that quote as most would be labour

Exactly I was hoping the brake lines would be repairable after given a clean however on the VOSA test certificate it states they are excessively corroded so its not a problem replacing them. they are so cheap anyway!

so there is nothing on there particularly which shouldn't be undertaken at home?

All fairly straight-forward 'nut&bolt' DIY tasks, just plan plenty of time!

Rear wheel bearings are easy - its the front ones which are evil!

with the brake pipes, rub them down with some wet and try and pait over with underseal, the tester is not alllowed to scrape the underseal off, but they will need replaced if they are seaping any fluid out.

lewis