Faults:

After 57000 miles the engine decided to fail and this had to be replaced along with the clutch etc - this set me back £3500 as the car was no longer under warranty and insurance does not cover mechanical failure. Didn't expect a 5 year old golf engine to die!

Problems starting the car - excessive smoking, car trembles and a strange noise can be heard from the drivers side. Local VW dealer is not able to diagnose a problem and says this is normal, however the car lost acceleration and has had to be taken back to the garage 4 times now. Problems still not fixed now in April 2004 and the engine was replaced back in December 2003.

General Comments:

This car was a gem to drive for the 1st few years until the engine decided to fail. No one is able to say what caused the engine to fail and this is rather worrying considering I have paid £3500 to have this replaced and still the car is not running right.

Don't think I will buy another VW after being so badly let down by this one.

Shame really as the Golf GT TDi is a lovely car - when it works!

Faults:

Nothing, this vehicle has been wonderfully reliable.

General Comments:

I bought this car from an auction for wrecked cars (insurance claims) and have done all repair work myself. The 2.0 is easy to work on and nearly indestructable.

When I purchased it the entire nose section was smashed in, slamming the radiator against the front of the engine, the only "engine" damage was a destroyed oil filter/ cooler.

All repairs have been innexpensive, the most expensive being the frame straightening at $900 (it was a harsh accident) followed by the radiator at $112.

All in all this has been a wonderful learning experience for a budding 13yr old mechanic.

Faults:

Sub-frame worked loose. (Car has been HPi checked - no involvement in any accidents)

Rear Wiper motor stopped working - quoted over £200.

'High Pressure Switch' on climate control needed replacing - £100 to replace.

Starter motor screeches on startup.

General Comments:

I am tempting fate by writing these comments I know, but the last few months have been trouble free motoring for me and the Golf. I enjoy driving it. It is a vast improvement on the 16v Mk3 I owned previously.

The wiper motor was wrecked because the pipe for the washer had become unattached and soaked the electrics. It also damaged the sensor in the boot catch, causing the alarm to go off all the time. Apparently this is quite a common fault which could have been prevented by a simple cable-tie.

I was quoted over £200 for the motor and £50 for the boot catch! Luckily Ebay is a good place to shop - £25 and £2.80 respectively!

The car has suffered the faults listed above which whilst irritating, are to be sort of expected from a 5 year old car. However, what I cannot tolerate is the complete incompetence and arrogance of the VW dealerships in my area.

I have had my car serviced by both local dealerships. Both times, they have charged me approx £300 for the pleasure. My last service pointed out that my brake pads had less than 100 miles left on them... that was 6 months ago - they're fine!

I wonder how many unsuspecting VW drivers are being exploited up and down the country. How much are we paying to have that little blue VW stamp in our service history? I will be looking elsewhere from now on.

It's a shame, I am generally impressed with the MK4 and I will keep for as long as I can, but when I come to sell it, I certainly won't be stating fVWsh in the AD.

When you compare the Golf to it's rivals, I agree that pound for pound, it is somewhat over-rated. However, I take some consolation in the fact that they seem to hold their money (for all their faults) better than any other car I've owned.

If I could turn back the clock, I would probably go for the Leon Cupra. Still, maybe next time eh?