2000 Volkswagen Golf SE review from UK and Ireland

Trip computer failed within 100 miles of purchase.

Rain water leaked into car from both front doors, dripping onto driver & passenger knees.

Alarm - multiple faults with sensors.

Water pump impeller fell off!

CD player failed - ate CDs.

Drivers window fell into door because a plastic clip broke - £160 for parts!

Knocking from front suspension because bolts not tightened up correctly.

Ate front brake pads and warped front discs (my fault according to dealer when I spend most of my time on motorways!)

Lambda sensor failure twice in 2 years @ £110 each plus labour (there is a recall in the USA but not UK for this part).

Rattles from under front dash and inside doors.

Thermostat failed and almost boiled engine.

Rubber trim deteriorated visibly.

Lots of minor electrical faults, blown bulbs every few weeks and fuses too. No fault ever found by dealer.

Dealers know about the many common problems with this car, but won't admit to them. In particular, water pumps, lambda sensors and window lifters fail regularly on Mk4 Golfs.

Grip and handling minimal especially in the wet. Front wheels slide easily and pulling out of side roads in wet weather often results in traction control light coming on (no, I'm not a boy racer).

The car is not very nice to drive. Very sluggish unless thrashed, mpg not very good even when driven gently on motorway. Predominant handling features are understeer and roll.

Suspension crashes into potholes and bumps in mid corner send the car skittering off line.

Seats gave me cramp after about an hour - cushions too hard.

Terrible build quality, lots of minor component failures.

Sky high parts & service prices.

Indifferent dealers (tried 3 and they were all the same).

I think I spent more time driving an old clunker of a Polo 1.2 courtesy car than I did driving my Golf; it was in the dealers that often. I also spent HOURS sitting in dealer waiting areas whilst another fault was diagnosed.

Dealers never have the parts in stock and will always try and fob you off without any courtesy car if they can.

VW customer service is the worst.