2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  14.5% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  15.4% All 2001 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  13.3% All 2001 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  10.7% All 2001 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Track rod ends1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  9.4% All 2001 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  48% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Smoke and oil use (1.9 diesel)

  1.9 diesel

  The 1.9 diesels can smoke and use too much oil.

  At the viewing: Look for smoke on hard acceleration and check the oil level.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf (1997-2004) used review

• Four-speed automatic failures

  Automatic gearbox

  The 01M four-speed automatic is prone to failure if not serviced, and a replacement is costly.

  At the viewing: Check it changes smoothly with no slipping or harsh shifts.

  Source: Parkers: buying guide, Volkswagen Golf Mk4

• Window regulator failure

  All engines

  The plastic clips in the window regulators break so the window won't move, and the cable can snap.

  At the viewing: Run every window fully up and down.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf (1997-2004) used review

• Suspension clonks and exhaust rattle

  All engines

  Worn anti-roll bar and rear axle bushes cause clonks, and weak exhaust mounts snap off and rattle.

  At the viewing: Listen for clonks over bumps and rattles under acceleration.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf (1997-2004) used review

• Rust, peeling lacquer and leaks

  All engines

  Lacquer can peel, front wings and tailgates rust, and ageing seals and blocked sunroof drains let water in.

  At the viewing: Check the wings and tailgate for rust, and lift the boot carpet for damp.

  Source: Parkers: buying guide, Volkswagen Golf Mk4

• Brake light switch and cooling fans

  All engines

  The brake light switch is a notorious failure. On some cars the cooling fans stop working with the air con on because of a poor fan resistor.

  At the viewing: Have someone check the brake lights, and make sure the fans run with the air con on.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf (1997-2004) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?