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The cap is very tight and I cannot seem to move it. Any suggestions for getting a grip (it is recessed in a body panel and not possible to get a strap around it)?

Hi littlepolo,

I'm still fairly unfamiliar with the car as yet but did a quick Youtube search and watched vid on topping up fluids.
Looks a pig to get at but have you tried long handled pliers, sometimes called Plumbers Pliers or Chicken Legs.
May give you a bit of reach and leverage.
I'll give mine a go tomorrow and see if they do the job.
Thanks for input on my question earlier, btw.
Regards
Rob

That did it!

I was surprised to see the fluid as below. I've owned the Polo for 12 years now and since around 29,000 miles.
It seems to be clean?

The level appears to be low as there's no indication on the cap/dipstick (dry).

Hi littlepolo,

Glad you got it off....was it the long pliers or just sheer bloody minded ness and scraped knuckles?!!
Fluid seems okay to me....maybe compare with some fresh from a bottle. Not sure about the level...as you say, not an obvious fill level mark on the 'stick'.
Does the reservoir have a high/low marker on it? Is it possible to see it?
BTW....12 years with a Polo? Good effort but....jeez!!!
Regards
Rob

Plumbers pliers! Used a large syringe and removed about 13ml. Fluid looks darker in the syringe and waste receptacle. Whilst the fluid is in fairly good condition, decided that after 20 years it's time to replenish using the syringe/decant, and top up and dilute method! A fair bit of work done over the years, including a 25K top end, to keep it running nicely.

When my wife had a 2002 Polo, I ended up being lucky enough to have a radiator, probably top hose, lying around, that fitted down tightly, and I managed to twist that from higher up in the car!

Ran through >95% of a 1l bottle of new fluid and it looks like the fluid is mostly replaced. I'll keep the second 1l bottle I purchased for next time.