Volkswagen Reliability

[I get around]

Just don't go to the stealers for repairs.

But I think VAG is on par with BMW in the reliability stakes. German engineering and experience is what counts.
MK4's are solid, I was speaking to a guy at a meet a while back he's got a stock 1.9tdi (130) engined golf, and it had covered nearly 260k miles.

Don't know many people running MK5/6 models so can't comment there.

 

[jamoor]

"If only everything in life were as reliable as a Volkswagen..."

That was the slogan I remember best from VW's advertising through the 80s and 90s.

Thing is, my Polo (bought new in 2002 and with 50k miles on the clock) has had loads of problems, often recurring and including:

• Failed clutch
• Failed Catalytic Converter
• Starter motor dying
• Windows leaking
• Engine Management Light on for no reason
• Failed suspension
• Failed ABS

And I've been screwed over by the repair costs at the Dealerships too, including occasions where they've clearly just made up the price as they've gone along.

I'm now thinking of retiring the car, even though it hasn't really lasted all that long.


My next choice is either a Golf or a Japanese branded equivalent.

I'd really like to pick the Golf, but am now losing faith in the brand. I have a feeling that the accountants have trumped the engineers.

What experience do you have with the newer VWs? Was 2002 a bad year for them? Are they more reliable again?
What about the Japanese brands like Honda and Toyota? I hear they're very reliable, but is this still the case?

TIA

If you want a reliable car for A to B work, buy a Toyota, nothing can beat Toyota in the reliabliity stakes, look at places where a genuinely reliable car is needed otherwise you're screwed and see what they drive.

Otherwise, are all those failures repaired at the dealer, are you sure they aren't fleecing you for extra work?