UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi all, hoping you might be able to give me some advice..
I’ve recently brought a 1999 automatic vw polo as a 2nd car. It’s only done 40,000 miles, no issues apart from when I first drive off the car jerks, once I then drive it’s perfect, finds gear ok etc... it hasn’t been serviced for 4 years so it could be a service issue.
We did take it to Halfords to check the gear box but it’s a sealed unit so I don’t want to start paying money on a full service etc.. if the issue is much deeper as the car only cost £500.
Has anyone experienced this issue?

How do you drive the car? Setting off quite quickly, ie as the lights turn green? If this is case I imagine there is an electronic handbrake that has to release first and if you have already applied load you will get the ‘jerking’ motion.

That does make sense as it does seem to be when I drive off quickly. Is it an easy fix?

It may be different for your car but in mine 14 plate Blue GT I don’t hold the brake pedal down all the way so the e brake doesn’t engage or alternatively lift your foot a little before the light turns green. I’m not sure if there is a way to ‘fix’ it but maybe it can be timed differently but someone with a lot more insight may have to field that one haha

These polos have no electronic handbrake

It’s a good old torque converter automatic gearbox

Take it to a decent independent specialist (not Halfords!!!) and get them to change the gearbox oil. There might be a filter on the gearbox too depending on the code. Some earlier ones didn’t have this

I’d also get the sparks, air filter, fuel filter and an oil filter with oil change done.

I had the gearbox serviced & no difference. This morning I waited a minute & revved the engine a couple of times before setting off & it didn’t jerk! Also, if the car is warm it doesn’t appear to jerk either.