2018 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volkswagen Golf?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Shock absorbers5.9× usual
  Volkswagen Golf

  13.6% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% of testsRough price £70–£150

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

• Brakes
  16% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  15% of testsRough price £120–£400

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

• Lights and electrics
  5% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Coolant leaks from the water pump housing

  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

  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)

  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

• Hesitation when cold (1.5 TSI)

  1.5 TSI petrol

  The 1.5 TSI can surge or kangaroo at low speed when cold. VW released a software update.

  At the viewing: Drive it from cold at low speed. Ask whether the software update was done.

  Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volkswagen Golf

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

1. What kind of journeys has the car mostly done? Any DPF warning lights?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?