Bother Bother Bother, I have lots and lots of tools but I still have a strange aversion about changing timing belts, and too late in life to change.
Edit:- while talking about valve timing, my wife has an August 2015 Polo 1.2TSI 110PS SEL, that engine is 16 valve and has variable inlet valve timing - some early engines ended up having the small bolts that held that pulley together unscrewing - nice! VW listed it as being an issue that could cause engine damage - COULD, more like WOULD if left unattended! I don’t think any cars were recalled by VW UK, there was an importer recall in Oz and NZ, VW UK did end up paying for a few new engines or car changes! I remove the top belt cover once a year to check for signs of oil leaking out.
Edit:- I don’t know how where you are getting your info from for this engine, but the Haynes repair manual for the 6R Polo covers this engine, Haynes manual 5638. It seems to claim that most things can be done without removing the engine, removing piston may be easier with the engine out Haynes says, but you might not need to touch them.