Used Volkswagen Golf Estate 2013-2020 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Volkswagen Golf?

What are the most common problems with a used Volkswagen Golf?

As an estate car, it’s just possible that a Volkswagen Golf has been used for regularly transporting very heavy loads, so it’s worth looking for excessive wear in the boot and listening out for any strange noises from the rear suspension. That aside, any problems you might encounter are the same as with any seventh-generation Golf hatchback.

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Gearbox issues

Volkswagen had largely sorted out the most expensive of its DSG automatic gearbox problems before this generation of Golf was launched, but there are still some early cars with which problems have been reported, so make sure the gearbox changes smoothly and there are no signs of temperamental behaviour.

Timing chains

Timing chains fitted to petrol engines have been known to snap prematurely; this can cause significant engine damage but can be mitigated by having the car serviced on time. This means a full service history is critical.

Sat-nav issues

Faults with the navigation and entertainment system, as well as other electrical niggles, have been reported on some models, so it’s worth checking that all the electrics work as they should.

High oil consumption

GTI models can suffer from high oil consumption, so it’s important to keep checking the oil level on these, even between services. If the level gets too low, it can cause damage to the engine or timing chain.

Adaptive cruise control

Examples fitted with adaptive cruise control (which can automatically match the speed of the car ahead of you in your chosen lane) can suffer from problems whereby the system gets confused and slams on the brakes. Often, there’s little that can be done to solve this. The system can be recalibrated, at a cost.

Is a used Volkswagen Golf reliable?

The Volkswagen Golf is generally a reliable car. In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, it came 13th out of 25 cars in the family car category with an overall score of 91.8%. As a whole, this generation of Golf should be more reliable than the rival Skoda Scala, but less reliable than estates like the current Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

As a car brand, Volkswagen placed 18th out of 31 manufacturers featured. Its overall reliability rating of 90.5% makes it a more reliable brand than Renault, but less reliable than Ford and Toyota.

Used Volkswagen Golf: owners' reliability data

Our readers have expressed mixed feedback on the reliability and dealer service of the 2013-2020 Golf. On the one hand, many people were impressed by the reliability of its engines, with fewer reports of major faults next to other brands. However, we have heard mentions of electrical issues, particularly with the infotainment systems and warning lights, which sometimes led to repeated dealer visits.

Some readers praised their dealership for prompt and courteous service, while others found the repair costs expensive and the service times longer than expected. There were a few instances of dissatisfaction with how warranty issues were handled, leading to a loss of trust for some customers. Overall, while the cars themselves are generally seen as reliable, the inconsistent dealer service experience has left some owners feeling frustrated.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information

Page 3 of 5