1999 Volkswagen Golf V5 review from UK and Ireland

Water pump burned up. This was fixed under warranty. (Without any moaning or whining) - a miracle.

Engine revving at 600 rpm. It should be idling at around 7-800 rpm. I know, I worked for Volkswagen for 5 years, and I can read. Unfortunately the dealership have no idea (as usual) and I was told, I quote: "Volkswagen specially tune their engines to idle on the very limit. That's why it sounds rough. This is because of the strict emission laws we have (in England)." What a load of crap. After threatening them, they 'suddenly' found a fault in the diagnostics and replaced the air mass sensor (hot wire, very expensive) which did...nothing. Moaned some more and finally got them to clean my carburettor, then after telling me there was nothing they could do, 'magically' got the revs up to 690. Trust them? Not a snowball in hell's chance.

Dash blowers blocked because the car was sold to me with blocked blowers. The exact words from a sales girl on the forecourt were: "The dashboard blowers aren't supposed to work when you have the air conditioning on"

Air conditioning ran out of gas. This was re gassed and the dealership I bought the car from kindly went 50/50 on the bill (after selling me a car with no gas in the air conditioning system) TIP: If you buy a car with air con, buy it in the summer.

Rear windscreen wiper broken. I can't be bothered to watch Volkswagen whine and moan and get me to drive there repeatedly in order to get such a small problem fixed, so I will live with it.

Alarm faulty. Yet to be sorted out, but knowing Volkswagen this will take repeated attempts to fix.

The car isn't really that bad - things do go wrong with cars, all cars. But Volkswagen have a habit of making a mountain out of a mole hill. If only they had decent no quibble customer service with OUR satisfaction as their goal, they would save themselves LOADS of money in the long run.

I.e. I got a 1 hour problem solved in 4 1/2 hours with three trips to Volkswagen, three loads of paperwork and 50 minutes (in total) of arguing.

'Thank God everything in life isn't as reliable as a Volkswagen (employee).'

Hopeless customer service.

Considering the engine spec, the suspension is much too soft.

Excellent braking.

Good sized boot.

Ageless styling.

Large roomy cabin.

I spend a lot of time filling it up with petrol!