How widespread are ESP problems?

electric ant

electric ant

electric ant

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Looking at 55 Golf SE 1.6 but been reading online of problems with the ESP light staying on - meaning the whole ABS module needs replacing at cost of up to £1500. This affects other cars with same base, like the Audi A3, Seat leons and others. Just wondering if anyone has encountered problems like this, as it seems quite common, and whether its worth taking a gamble with it.
 
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The ESP light coming on won't always mean the ESP module needs changing, thats just a worst case scenario, most of the time it will be a wheel speed sensor / fault code logged for no reason.

On some VW's etc the ESP light can also come on when you have Turbo / EPC issues.
 
As already mentioned it is a very common problem that affects Volvo, Ford, BMW and VAG as they all used the MK60 ABS pump from the same manufacturer. If the Golf has a full VW service history they are replacing the pump free of charge.

I wouldn't be surprised if the pump hasn't already been replaced as at work 3 of us had MK5 Golfs and 2 of them had the pump fail. I am still waiting for mine to go interestingly I was the only one that got the brake fluid changed every 2 years unsure if this has any impact however.

You can get the faulty pressure sensor replaced for £350 here

http://www.ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html
 
Dangerous Dave said:
As already mentioned it is a very common problem that affects Volvo, Ford, BMW and VAG as they all used the MK60 ABS pump from the same manufacturer. If the Golf has a full VW service history they are replacing the pump free of charge.

I wouldn't be surprised if the pump hasn't already been replaced as at work 3 of us had MK5 Golfs and 2 of them had the pump fail. I am still waiting for mine to go interestingly I was the only one that got the brake fluid changed every 2 years unsure if this has any impact however.

You can get the faulty pressure sensor replaced for £350 here

http://www.ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html
Click to expand...


The car I was looking at had 35k miles, 55 plate, 1.6 FSI engine MKV golf.
Went through service history , its had no major work done, all serviced at VW dealerships. Lowest dealer would go was 6.2k with one year warranty. Should I?

Also open to other suggestions for hatch around 6-7k money, not concerned about brand, just reliability, and at least 1.4-1.6L.
 
electric ant said:
The car I was looking at had 35k miles, 55 plate, 1.6 FSI engine MKV golf.
Went through service history , its had no major work done, all serviced at VW dealerships. Lowest dealer would go was 6.2k with one year warranty. Should I?

Also open to other suggestions for hatch around 6-7k money, not concerned about brand, just reliability, and at least 1.4-1.6L.
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldn't let it put you off the main rival the Ford Focus has the same problems as it uses the same pump. Most modern cars are going to have a common problem of some sort anyway. Chances are if it doesn't go in the next year when you are covered by the warranty it will never go most of the ones I have read about have went with the car being 3 to 4 years old. VW used a couple of manufacturers for the pump so the one in the car may be from the other supplier and will never have the problem.

VW have also been good replacing the pumps for free strangely Seat will generally only cover 75% of the cost.
 
Suzuki apparently use the same system on the Swift 1.5 and Sport also. Had to have my abs pump replaced other week (under extended warranty)

Quite a widespread problem It would seem. I know a lot of Swifts seem to have the problem around 20k+ miles (mines just shy of 25k.)
 
I have 2 MK5 golfs in my household, one 06/05 and mine 07/05. Neither have suffered any problems regarding the ESP/ABS so I guess its just luck of the draw. Also my GTi is the 2006 model as opposed to the 2005 model year!
 
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