2003 Volkswagen Golf GT TDI PD 130 review from UK and Ireland

Veered to the left when new.

Rattle from parcel shelf. Found to be a snapped bracket.

Handbrake number due to be installed three due to rattles.

Still rattles from the dashboard.

Central arm rest fell to bits. Threaded screw.

Told me it needed a service after 200 miles.

Intermittently tells me it needs a service.

Wheels starting to tarnish after just 8000 miles. Despite weekly cleaning.

VW seem to be resting on their laurels in terms of build quality. The materials used to build the interior are of a suitably high Germanic quality. Sadly they're thrown together in a hap hazard fashion that results in numerous rattles and bits and pieces falling off. Despite that...

I still love this car to drive. The 1.9 diesel delivers torque (and rapid acceleration) in abundance. Overtaking on A & B roads is a doddle. Six speed gearbox is slick.

You won't find the handling excites like a little sports car, but you'll glide through the corners in safety, comfort and most of all - rapidly.

Fuel economy is at worst 40mpg. At best 60mpg. Most normal journeys will see 50mpg. Best was 560 miles on a tank of diesel. Very frugal.

I have the 3 door, so rear leg room isn't its strong point. Ample boot.

My car is an import, but despite this dealers are keen to resolve problems.

Dealers are helpful and courteous. Sadly, they are generally the cause of most of my car's problems. Of the seven visits its had, five have been the car going back to fix the shoddy work of the previous visit. With any luck visit number eight will solve the rattles and I'll be left with the rapid diesel that doesn't rattle.