Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs: Specs, Fitment & Wear Symptoms

On the Polo, VW's own OEM discs have a documented reputation for corroding faster than quality aftermarket alternatives — plus why rear discs specifically corrode faster than they should.

Illustration for editorial purposes

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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — front discs (aftermarket) Brembo 09.7011.11 / Bosch 0 986 478 853

Accuracy note: Covers the Volkswagen Polo (6R/6C 2009-2017) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Front brake discs are sold by diameter and thickness, and most models have two or three disc sizes depending on engine, brake size and trim — a 278 mm disc will not fit a car built with 300 mm brakes, so the caliper carrier and the disc must match. The references below are UK aftermarket catalogue listings for this generation, labelled by brand with diameter x thickness in mm; genuine numbers are shown only where a listing quotes one. Measure the old disc or check the brake size against your VIN before ordering, replace discs in pairs with new pads, and scrap any disc at or below its minimum thickness.

Front brake discs (aftermarket)	Brembo 09.7011.11 (256 x 22 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 19 mm); Bosch 0 986 478 853 (256 x 22 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 19 mm, ECE-R90); ATE 24.0122-0151.1 (256 x 22 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 19.0 mm); TRW DF2803 (256 x 22 mm, vented, 5 holes, painted black, high-carbon, min 19 mm); Bosch 0 986 478 867 (288 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 22 mm, ECE-R90); ATE 24.0125-0113.1 (288 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 22.0 mm); Brembo 09.7010.76 (288 x 25 mm, vented, slotted, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 22 mm)
Disc sizes & variants	Two front sizes are listed, 256 x 22 mm and 288 x 25 mm, both vented and five-stud. The 256 mm disc is the standard fitment on the small petrol and diesel engines; the 288 mm disc is the larger fitment used on the higher-output cars such as the GTI and the more powerful TDI/TSI models.
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	None quoted in catalogue listings — order genuine discs against your VIN
Fitment notes	Minimum thickness is 19 mm for the 256 mm disc and 22 mm for the 288 mm disc. The Ridex 82B0004 is marked as usable only on cars built up to November 2016.

Confirmed: A Genuinely Widespread, Well-Documented VW Corrosion Pattern — Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs

Across VAG owner forums, one theme repeats with remarkable consistency: VW's own-brand OEM brake discs have a documented reputation for corroding and pitting considerably faster than quality aftermarket alternatives, particularly on the rear axle. Multiple owners who've switched to reputable aftermarket brands (Pagid and Napa Proformer both specifically mentioned) report the corrosion problem disappearing entirely after fitting, suggesting this is genuinely more about VW's chosen disc material and coating than an inevitable characteristic of the car itself.

A genuine reason rear discs corrode faster, worth understanding: rear brakes generally do less work than the fronts, and cars fitted with adaptive cruise control (which can apply light rear-biased braking automatically) or a hybrid/plug-in hybrid drivetrain (where regenerative braking reduces how often the friction brakes are used at all) make this worse still. A genuinely useful trick some owners use: deliberately braking a little harder than usual for a week or two, including using speed bumps as an opportunity, can clean up light surface corrosion before it becomes a genuine problem.

It's worth knowing dealers frequently treat corrosion-related disc replacement as chargeable "wear and tear" excluded from warranty or maintenance plans, even on cars just a couple of years old with low mileage — but this isn't always the final word. Real cases exist of owners successfully obtaining a refund after VW head office intervened following a formal written complaint, when a local dealer initially refused to honour a maintenance plan covering brake repairs. If you believe corrosion this early genuinely reflects a material issue rather than ordinary wear, escalating in writing to VW customer services is a genuinely worthwhile step before accepting the dealer's first answer.

Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs: The Part That Pads Depend On

On the Volkswagen Polo, these two components wear together, and letting one go too long accelerates wear on the other, which is why a simple pad swap so often reveals discs that need replacing at the same time.

Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: How to Replace Front Brake Pads and Discs on VW Polo V (2010-2017)

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Polo 6R/6C era.

Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs reference plate

Before you buy: disc size and design vary by trim, engine size and whether your car has the standard or "sport" brake package. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs: What They Do

Brake discs provide the surface the brake pads clamp against to slow the car, converting momentum into heat through friction. Larger, sportier trims of the Polo typically use bigger discs than standard versions to handle the additional heat generated by more aggressive braking.

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Volkswagen Polo Brake Discs: Wear Symptoms, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Brake Discs Guide for warning signs to watch for, confirming fitment against your VIN, and choosing a reliable aftermarket disc.

More Volkswagen Brake Discs

The same part, covered across other Volkswagen models.