2001 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.8T review from UK and Ireland

Problems started within a week of taking delivery. It was difficult to engage first or reverse gears. The dealer took 2 attempts to find that the gear linkage was mis-aligned.

A month later the engine started to misfire. Back to the dealers and the air flow unit was replaced.

Heavy oil consumption - normal said dealer

Another few weeks later one of the windows went down and refused to come back up. The motor was faulty. This was replaced along with the switch.

Then the sunroof switch broke leaving the roof stuck half open.

The brakes started to judder and the front discs and pads were replaced at 3000 miles. Eventually done under warranty after a major row with the service manager at the local dealers.

Everything was fine then for a couple of months and we thought that we had got over the teething problems until the first time the car was left out overnight in a rain storm. We found wet carpets on the passenger side. The door seal was replaced and the door re-fitted.

A week later one of the horns stopped working - another trip to the dealer and an hour wait while they fitted a new one.

Then the engine overheated on the motorway and we had to be towed home. Evidently there is a known problem with the water pump on this model.

Then a Lamda sensor went causing fuel consumption to drop below 20 mpg.

Engine management system packed in. Another tow home.

New EMS developed a stutter when hot. Replaced again.

Brake judder came back at 10000 miles. The dealer said we braked too hard!

We went to another dealer. Discs and pads replaced, but we had to pay for new pads (which were only half worn).

Another electric window switch broke and was replaced.

Another misfire developed. This time a coil pack and we spent three weeks driving a 1.2 Polo courtesy car waiting for new parts. The dealer showed us 5 more 1.8 Turbos also waiting for the same part. Another known design fault.

We had it back a week when another Lamda sensor went. Evidently another known design problem in the USA they have all been replaced under a recall.

Finally the turbo bearings went in a cloud of blue smoke. At this point I gave the car back as I was leaving my company car scheme.

This was one of the worst built cars I have ever seen. It looks good at first sight, but reliability was woeful.

It wasn't much fun to drive, OK on the motorway, but rolled and lurched around corners. Handled more like a Ford Transit than a GTI

A huge disappointment. I would never have another one of these.

Even worse was the treatment by the dealers who just don't care.

Customer service is terrible. Prices are too high and courtesy cars are almost impossible to get.

The whole experience made me feel like a valued customer - not

Bought a new shape Saab 9-3 which has been impeccable for reliability and goes round corners.