volkswagen Golf road test reports and car reviews

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GT TDI 140bhp 2008

Bought Volkswagen 2.0 GT TDI 140bhp in April 2008. Current mileage 33500 which I think is quite remarkable for FOUR YEAR OLD CAR. ESP light can’t be cancelled and I’ve been told I require a brake pump. I was also told this is a manufacturers fault but I’m still expected to pay total of £577. Volkswagen have offered to pay 40% of the total cost. I liased with Consumer Care Scotland who advised me to quote Sale of Goods Act. The original cost quoted for me to pay was approximately £1000 plus VAT and Volkswagen would pay the remainder 40%. There is a huge difference between what was originally quoted but I still think it’s outrageous and I will liaise with Trading Standards. When I contacted Volkwagen Customer Care Team I was asked about my loyalty as a customer. I’ve had many Volkswagen’s but I was asked for registration numbers and when I couldn’t remember ALL OF THEM I was then asked for chassis numbers! My idea would be if they are saying this is a manufactureres fault then I should not be paying anything! The retailing garage have been very supportive and I could not fault them BUT I’m very disappointed with Volkswagen and I would certainly have to consider whether to continue as a customer.

Volkswagen Golf 2 litre TDI SE 2009

Test drove the new Golf prior to purchasing my Nissan Qashqai. In true Golf style the subdued interior oozed a classiness that is lacking in most competitors, and the understated (some may say boring) exterior is inoffensive. All controls and switches operated with a nicely weighted feel and as with the previous model interior space was impressive given its compact size. Good all round visibility meant driving through London was a doddle, and you had a feeling that this is a car that people respect. So why did I choose the Qashqai over the Golf? As already mentioned in other posts it came down to dealer service (or lack of ). The salesman showed no genuine interest in firming up a deal, I got the feeling that he felt the product is so good, so why bother? I have no regrets in buying the QQ as it really suits my needs and everyone loves its funky, youthful, adventurous image. The Golf still remains a great car, but others are not that far behind and VW have to address some of their reliability issues and stuck up staff!

Volkswagen Golf 2005

Bought a low mileage 2005 Golf as I thought being a Volkswagen there would be no problems. Dual Mass Flywheel and Clutch had to be replaced at a cost of £1200. Volkswagen deny there is a problem with 2005 plates but I was told different by a Volkswagen employee. They tell you they will give you a goodwill payment towards the cost once they have checked it out in thier garages at a cost of £50. Once you get your car there they then go back on the offer and deny they ever said it. They have no interest in helping with the situation. I will never buy a volkswagen again. Awful service.

Volkswagen Golf GT Sport 1.4 TSI 170

Having bought this car from new in 2007, the car has developed what I can only describe as a ’squeak’ as you accelerate in all 6 gears. The car has been in to the garage several times from mid 2008. They have replaced a water pump and also installed a software upgrade which has not solved the problem. The garage have been excellent and supportive, however whilst the problem has been reported to VW Germany, their technical team have not come up with a solution. They have acknowledged there is a problem but have no answers. We have complained to VW UK about the issue, but they are trying to fob us off with the noise is a ’characteristic of the car!". The car did not have this noise when we bought the car and they have even tried to imply that the noise will be coming from the turbo or supercharger! We do love the car, but when you spend £18k on a car with a noise that is audible in and out of the car as you change gears it is rather irritating and VW so far are trying very hard to fob us off. Big mistake as we will not give up. I would be very interested to hear from anyone else has/is experiencing this.

Responses to this review

I bought my 06 plate 1.4 TSI 170 back in February this year - I too have the irritating "squeak" which as you say is very audible both inside and outside of the car. I was concerned as it sounds like a belt slipping momenteraly as you accelerate. My local VW told me it was a known problem form a solanoid and there was nothing they could do and it doesn’t inhibit performance. So it looks as if VW know there is a problem but have issued a "fob off" statement to anyone who complains. I love the car but do find the "squeak" a little hard to live with. Another problem to look out for which I have just had repaired under warranty is the gearbox. I noticed when the engine was hot second gear "crunched", VW promptly changed the second gear cog (5th and 6th). This is due to the coating coming off the cogs - VW did the work under warranty and it has solved the problem and I was assured it won’t now reoccur - Mike Blackford from Suffolk

Volkswagen Golf TDI 1.9 2004

I am a Golf fan, got mine over a year and a half ago. Couldn’t afford much so I opted for a 1.9 TDI, it was few years old and the clock had already hit 80,000. Didnt stop me though because I reckoned the diesel engine could handle that. Been fantastic so far, it’s had a service and MOT since I’ve owned it and all I’ve had to do is replace a bulb and replace oil filters... pennies! Just your luck with cars but overall I think VW have done a grand job. Its proves itself as there are sooo many on the road!! and they have now built the new one on the same chassis. Oh, and my boyfriend has a GT and its a brilliant drive, much more sporty with great road handling. I drove it round the roads at the top of Scotland (single track/narrow) and it was the best drive I’ve ever had. On the roads up there I could keep up with everything else... i.e. all you nice Volvo sport drivers out there :~)

Volkswagen Golf GTi DSG 2008

This is our third Golf and our second GTi, the first being the Golf GTi 180 (on a 53 plate and the second one a GT TDi 140 on a 55 plate). We have had no problems whatsoever with any of the above cars and especially our new one in white and with 18 inch rims and a host of other extras really turns heads! Its very comfy and the dsg gearbox is fantastic, covered just over 10,000 miles now and I think its just about run in as we’re getting over 36 to the gallon and we were worried when we picked it up we couldn’t get much more than 28 to the gallon. The satnav is a hoot to use and stereo with the 30 gig hard drive is a must when we travel to Devon from Leeds, it is full of over 80 cds. Anyone wanting to buy one should do so as the build quality and reliability are second to none.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 2009

I changed to the new Mk 6 Golf from an Audi A3 2.0 litre FSI Sportback and I am thrilled with it. Although the engine is only 1.4 litre, it performs as well as the A3. Loads of torque at low revs (max from 1500 rpm). Flies at 6000 rpm but still delivers 45 mpg if you keep a light right foot (cf. 35 mpg for the Audi). Very quiet at motorway speed. Easy to get caught speeding - I got my first ticket in >40 years of driving just a few days after I bought the Golf, so beware. Build quality just as good as the Audi (so why pay more?).

Responses to this review

Glad you are enjoying your Mk6 Golf. I looked at the same model as you purchased to replace my wife’s 2007 Honda Civic. We had a test drive in the 1.4 TFSi and were really impressed with all levels of refinement, fit, finish an performance. The sticking point was with the dealer. My experience of VW dealers most recently is that they are making a habit of being "snobby" and "obnoxious" just like BMW, Mercedes and Audi used to be like 10 years ago! (look what it has done for their sales). It appears more evident due to the fact they have a car like the Mk6 Golf which is selling itself! The VW dealer in question could not be bothered to contact us in relation to a PX price on the wife’s Civic, in fact he failed to follow up any contact whatsoever. As I was driving a Audi Q7 and had struck up a good relationship with the dealership staff I looked at purchasing an Audi A3 Sportback. Audi could not of been any better in customer care. We subsequently ordered an A3 Sportback "Black Edition" . I cannot sing praises high enough for this car, it has been faultless. The best part was the price. For the price I would have paid for the Golf. My wife ended up with a factory ordered higher spec A3, which came with Bluetooth, Xenons, 18" alloys, Metallic Paint, Bose Sound, Part Leather Seats and Rear Parking Sensors to name a few. So in response to your comment "Why pay more"? We did not pay more, in fact we purchased a premium Audi at a price less than a VW! - Dave from Warwickshire

Volkswagen Golf TDI Match 2009

Nice car - good driver’s seat, excellent engine and handling. However it has a few design problems compared with the Mk5: - chrome surrounding instrument dials are very distracting; chrome surrounding right-hand air vent reflects in the driver’s window right where the door mirror is: don’t they test these things? - like the Mk5, the rear seat bases do not remove or even tip up, so the best you’ll achieve is the seat backs leaning at about 30 degrees - not exactly a level load space! What a great wasted opportunity, VW - you could have fixed this in the Mk6 and you didn’t. - compared with my Peugeot 306 HDi, it’s very easy to stall the engine when setting off from rest: it needs nearly as much throttle as a petrol engine would - rear seats are very primitive and don’t give much lateral support - as with so many modern cars it has a "toy" spacesaver spare wheel which is b*gger-all use if you get a puncture on a Sunday when you are about to start a 200-mile journey and can’t get the real tyre repaired. All my punctures seem to happen out of hours. I wish it was a legal requirement for every car to be fitted with a fully-serviceable, fully-interchangeable spare wheel.

Volkswagen Golf TDi Sport 2005

Without doubt the worst car I’ve ever owned. Chose a VW Golf for reliability after previously owning an Audi A3, and a MK4 Golf TDi and boy what a mistake. Bought the car back in January 09, it’s a 55 plate Golf TDi Sport, done 42k miles. Had the radiator, centre brake light, flywheel and clutch all fail and replaced by VW within 6 months. Including a service, total cost of repairs for 6 months ownership of a 3 year old Golf TDi is £2,300. Not what I’d call reliable. Although after further reading I see loads of MK5 Golf owners have had the flywheel/clutch replaced so obviously a major problem. AVOID A MK5 GOLF!

Responses to this review

Hi Rob, I know this is a common fault on the mark 5, was your car under warrany when it was replaced or did vw pay for this as a goodwill gesture? - Mohammed Sarwar from Scotland

Volkswagen Golf GT 170 Tdi 2008

Excellent car; loads of power and good on fuel too! Why bother with boring slow petrol engines when you can have a car like this?

Volkswagen Golf Golf TDI SE PD 2004

I bought the mk5 Golf after I had had a VW Passat for more than 12 years - it has never let me down. At first I was very pleased with the Golf... then after 1 year, during the warranty, the radio broke. I had to wait 3 months for a replacement, got stainless steel door-trims as compensation. I had to fight for compensation!!! After 42000 miles the dual mass flywheel broke. I had it replaced with a solid flywheel replacement-kit. VW is denying that there is a problem. At the moment I am looking to buy a van for my business. I was planning to purchase a VW Transporter, but the Transporter suffers also from Flywheel failure, and we know VW do not help. The customer service is very bad. The prices are too high. The quality is going down. In addition, as a German citizen, with more than 15 years ownership of VW-cars, it is time to make a change and buy a Japanese product.

Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion 2008

Best company car that I have ever had. Very economical on a run, 65 plus to gallon, around town mid 50s Last 2 company cars have both been French; this puts them to shame. Very comfortable and full of lots of toys that all work not like last 2 cars. At first had noise from door seals at any speed but dealer has fixed this has been my only problem.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDi 2003

This car is great at all kinds of driving, from city to town to country road and motorways. It has great full efficiency around 48mpg. It is nippy and fast to accelerate and is smooth on the bumpy roads and the motorway. Okay, it is slightly noisy inside at speed compared to a BMW 3 series diesel but it is a lot cheaper. I have driven it in heavy rain, ice and snow and with care it handles well and I feel confident at the wheel. The air conditioning is great but I try not to use it too much and the heated leather seats are luxury in the cold weather. I’d definitely have another.

Volkswagen Golf VR6 1990

Pulls like a train and is great fun to drive! But very thirsty and hard on finances during these tight days! Should go for miles and miles if well maintained but maintenance costs are quite high.

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 Tdi GT Sport 2007

I love this car! My company were able to buy it for me as a fleet car, as it is economical enough to do so, and it’s great to have a fun car for work. I do high mileage in it, pounding up and down motorways a lot, and it is comfortable, quality, sweet to drive, with crisp gears and excellent handling. The diesel engine seems as responsive and quick as any petrol engine I’ve had, and has a pleasant, ’growly’ note, so it doesn’t sound as much like a tractor as other diesels, and sounds like it means business. It does. The acceleration is reliable (Wheeeee!) and good for overtaking and getting out of the way (of other overtakers) if necessary. I get good mpg out of it, so fill-ups are not too frequent. Love the Rocaro seats - had some ordinary ones in a hire car recently, and felt I was slithering around on cornering! I hope they let me buy it at the end of its term......

Volkswagen Golf 1.9 tdi se 2006

I have had a Golf most of my life, got the new mk5 model and recently been getting a humming noise like an owl. I took it to the dealers who were too busy too look at so took another half day too bring down but same excuse, too busy. This went on for ages and I made a complaint as I was unable too book an appointment so they wanted me too keep bringing the car back until it suited them. At the end of it all I took another half day off and person sat in car and said that was normal. Now I’m driving about with this owl noise coming from my car, when I drop my girlfriend off she can hear it the whole way down the road. VW say that it’s normal in some Golfs. Also, it’s getting worse so what else can I do? I tried selling the car and 2 people have looked at it but was put off by the noise so it looks like I’m stuck with it. After service is really bad, stay away.

Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Sport 2006

We purchased the Golf because although we were paying a little more than comparable models from other manufacturers, we thought we were buying a quality-build vehicle, how wrong we were. We have had the following problems, rear door window winder mechanism jammed, milking on three of the alloy wheels, three complete sets of alloy wheel trim centres replaced due to milking, rear hatch badge replaced due to milking, faulty radio replaced, door seals on both rear doors fell off and had to be replaced, radiator leaking and replaced, and lastly the drivers interior door panel replaced due to poor finish. Most of the aforementioned faults were within the first year or so and were rectified under warranty. The question is, would I recommend anyone buy a VW Golf, most definitely not.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI 105 S 2008

I first bought a Golf in 2002, it was the Mk 4 and it gave me 5 years of reliable, pleasurable driving. I had never been so happy with a car so I did not hesitate in moving onto the Mk 5 when I felt it was time to upgrade my motor. The Gold now looks even better and every aspect has been improved upon. It is a fantastic all-rounder that gives sublime performance, reliability and practical for a busy lifestyle. I like to be able to make adjustments to get the best driving position and the Gold allows me to get the seat and steering wheel just right (until my girlfriend borrows the car and then I’m back to square one again...). I know that the residual values are extremely strong and although I plan to keep for car for at least 5 years it’s good to know that it will still be worth a decent amount even then. Green cars are very much in vogue at the moment and my variant has low emissions of 132g/km and high fuel economy of 56 miles per gallon. The Golf is a car that can fit into any household, it does everything you need from a car. 5 stars*****

Volkswagen Golf 1.6-litre FSI 2007

Everything about the Golf is quality. It offers a smooth and refined ride and is the most comfortable and quietest car that I have ever taken onto the motorway, road and wind noise are almost non-existent. This is the best car in its class and the attention to detail shown in the interior makes being in the cabin a complete joy. Everything works well, reliability is second to none and the fuel economy is pretty good. The icing on the cake are the excellent residual values which makes the Gold attractive to buy new, or as in my case, lease. The best small family car / hatchback.

Volkswagen Golf TDI Sport 5dr 2007

This car is excellent, roomy, great handling and can cope on country roads and busy motorways. The fuel economy is good and everything is where you would expect to find it within a well-ordered cabin. The TDI engine is very, very good and a good choice of engine, I went for for the TDI Sport. The main reason I went for a Volkswagen was the reliability and that is what it has given me. Very, very pleased.

Volkswagen Golf 1.2 Urban 2007

Great car, roomier than the Polo and the Toyota Aygo which I test drove before settling with this one. Cheap to buy, low insurance and good fuel economy. Good, comfortable drive too.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI

Great car, when me and mey mates get together, I am the envy of all, and it helps me pull the girls. Top lads car. Would give it 6 stars if I could.

Volkswagen Golf Match TDi 100

Superb car. Quick enough when I need it but 50+ mpg in normal driving. Am lucky enough to be offered a GT Sport 170 company car, will be sorry to see the Match go.

Volkswagen Golf Gti Tdi

Volkswagen’s are renowned for their reliabilty and this, plus the obvious quality and attention to detail make this the best car that I have ever owned. My Golf is very comfortable a wonderfully quiet. I know that the depreciation on this car will be very good but that is not really an issue as I don’t see any reason to change for many years. Quality, comfort and reliability are the three words that I would use to describe my Golf.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI SE

Great car - does approximately 45 miles to the gallon. I spend a lot of time travelling in it but have (touch wood) not had any physical complaints as the ergonomincs are excellent. Quality car.

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GTi

All time favourite hot hatchback. Solid, economical, fun to drive. Just a good all rounder.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI

Great car, roomy, nice looking vehicle and if you are in the market for this type of car, you cant go wrong.

Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI 105 SE 5 dr

This is my second Golf and I can’t ever see me changing to anything else. Fuel economy is excellent, as you would expect from a golf, on an average of 60mph for my daily work journeys. It's a very comfortable car, no problem on long journeys. There's plenty space for rear passengers, too, and excellent storage pockets all over the place. Not a bad word to say about it.