Volkswagen Golf common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Golf?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Oil starvation and cam belt failure (1.4 16v)

  Cars registered 1997–2003 · 1.4 16v petrol

  The 1.4 16v petrol can suffer oil starvation, cam belt failure and bore wear.

  At the viewing: Check the oil level and ask when the cam belt was last changed.

  Source: Parkers: buying guide, Volkswagen Golf Mk4

• Dual-mass flywheel

  Cars registered 2004–2008 · 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)

  Cars registered 2004–2008 · 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

• Turbo wear (1.9 and 2.0 TDI)

  Cars registered 2004–2008 · 1.9 and 2.0 TDI diesel

  High-mileage diesel turbos wear out, which makes the car sluggish and can cause smoke or a whistle. Replacing a turbo is expensive.

  At the viewing: Watch for smoke and listen for whistling when you accelerate hard.

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

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  Cars registered 2009–2012 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

• Coolant leaks from the water pump housing

  Cars registered 2013–2020 · TSI petrol

  The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on these petrol engines can weep coolant.

  At the viewing: Look around the engine for dried pink or white crust, and check the coolant level isn’t low.

  If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

• DSG automatic judder

  Cars registered 2013–2020 · DSG automatic only

  DSG gearboxes can judder or hesitate when pulling away.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, pull away gently several times and drive in stop-start traffic. Ask for proof of gearbox oil changes.

  Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

• Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

  Cars registered 2013–2020 · TDI diesel

  Diesels used mostly for short trips can clog the particulate filter and EGR valve, leading to warning lights and limp mode.

  At the viewing: Ask what journeys the car does. Watch for DPF or engine warning lights on the drive.

  If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

• Ignition coils (1.8 turbo)

  Cars registered 1997–2003 · 1.8T petrol

  The 1.8 turbo is known for ignition coil failures, causing rough running.

  At the viewing: Check it idles smoothly with no flashing engine light.

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

• Chain and sludge problems (V5, V6 and R32)

  Cars registered 1997–2003 · V5, V6 and R32 petrol

  The V5 and V6 petrols have chain-driven camshafts that give trouble, along with oil sludge and ignition faults.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles at start-up and look for sludge under the oil filler cap.

  Source: Parkers: buying guide, Volkswagen Golf Mk4

Common Volkswagen Golf MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Shock absorbers

  up to 7.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers

  up to 3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Front strut mounts and bushes

  up to 14× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

• Engine warning light

  up to 4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

  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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

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

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

Diesel

• Shock absorbers

  up to 6.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints

  up to 2.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers

  up to 2.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Flexible brake hoses

  up to 2.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

  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 ends

  up to 2.5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

  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.

Hybrid

• Shock absorbers

  up to 5.4× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Wheels

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

• Brake discs

  up to 1.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Electric

• Shock absorbers

  up to 8.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2018.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Volkswagen Golf did best (80% passed first time, 10 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2005 did worst (54%, 3 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Golf

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

1. When was the cam belt last changed, and is there a receipt?
2. Has the clutch or flywheel been replaced, and is there an invoice?
3. When was the timing belt last changed, and is there an invoice?
4. Has the turbo been replaced, and has the oil been changed on time?
5. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
6. What kind of journeys has the car mostly done? Any DPF warning lights?