Used Volkswagen Golf 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?

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 Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is generally a reliable car. While the petrol version finished in 22nd place out of 29 cars in the family car section of the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, it received a good reliability rating of 90.7%. As a whole, this generation of Golf should be more reliable than the Ford Focus, Seat Leon (2020-present) and Mk8 Volkswagen Golf, but less reliable than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

As a car brand, Volkswagen placed 24th out of 30 manufacturers featured. Its overall reliability rating of 90.5% makes it a more reliable brand than Nissan, but less reliable than Honda, Skoda and Toyota.

Used Volkswagen Golf reliability: the owners' view

In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, Mk7 Volkswagen Golf owners have painted a mixed but concerning picture of the car's reliability.

While many owners reported trouble-free motoring, a significant number reported a range of frustrating and costly issues. A major trend was problems with the DSG automatic gearbox, which many found to be unreliable, suffering from jerky changes or complete failure, sometimes requiring expensive repairs. Owners also flagged frequent issues with the air conditioning system. Some reported electrical gremlins, including warning lights illuminating on the dash, and intermittent faults with the infotainment system and parking brake.

The experience with the dealer network appears particularly inconsistent. Several readers found service to be poor or felt they were overcharged for fixes. One owner reported being quoted a wildly inflated price for a simple tire patch and others felt their faulty cars were poorly handled. However, some readers did report very positive experiences, with dealers who were helpful and honoured warranty work effectively. The overall impression is that while the car itself can suffer from notable faults, the quality of the dealer service varies drastically.