2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Engine warning light4× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  12.8% All 2004 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.8%, against 3.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

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

  16.3% All 2004 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.1% of all 2004 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.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  15.5% All 2004 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  7.6% All 2004 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  11.3% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  36% 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.

• Tyres
  35% 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
  21% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol

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.

• Dual-mass flywheel

  Manual and DSG

  The dual-mass flywheel can fail, giving a scraping or rattling noise at a cold idle and extra vibration. It’s an expensive fix, usually done with a new clutch.

  At the viewing: Listen at a cold idle, then press the clutch and see if the noise fades.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2004-2009) used review

• Timing belt changes (chain on 1.4 TSI and FSI)

  All engines

  Most engines use a timing belt due every four years or 70,000 miles, and it’s a fiddly job so it’s sometimes skipped. The 1.4 TSI and FSI use a chain instead, which can rattle when worn.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice for the last belt change. On a TSI or FSI, listen for a rattle at start-up.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2004-2009) used review

• Rust on the wings, sills and tailgate

  All engines

  Rust starts where the plastic arch liners rub through the paint, and on the sills and around the tailgate badge.

  At the viewing: Look at the wheel arches, sills and tailgate, and check the MOT history for corrosion.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2004-2009) used review

• Air conditioning failure

  All engines

  Air con on older cars can fail anywhere from a pressure switch to the compressor or condenser, which can cost hundreds.

  At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows cold, and listen for noises when you switch it on.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2004-2009) used review

• DSG automatic

  DSG automatic

  A neglected DSG can change slowly or jerkily, lurch when pulling away or rumble when stopped. It has its own oil that needs changing.

  At the viewing: Drive in stop-start traffic and pull away several times. Ask for proof of DSG oil changes.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2004-2009) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol

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

1. Has the clutch or flywheel been replaced, and is there an invoice?
2. When was the timing belt last changed, and is there an invoice?
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?