CarCredo

Volkswagen Golf IV (1997–2006)

4.0/5
Reliability score Good
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

2 Verified owner reports

Every report is validated by email.

Most reported affected parts

View all parts
1
Air conditioning
1 reports
2
Clutch
1 reports
3
Gearbox
1 reports
4
Oil leak
1 reports

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
1.4 16V (75 Hp) (AHW, AKQ, APE, AXP, BCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.4 16V (75 Hp) (AKQ, AHW) 4.0 2 Air conditioning, Clutch, Gearbox
1.6 (101 Hp) (AEH, APF, AKL) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 (101 Hp) (AEH, APF) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 27 more engines
1.6 (101 Hp) Automatic (AEH, APF) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 16V (105 Hp) (AZD, ATN, AUS, BCB) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 FSI (110 Hp) (BAD) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.6 i 16V FSI (110 Hp) (BAD) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 (125 Hp) (AGN) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 (125 Hp) 4motion (AGN) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 (125 Hp) Automatic (AGN) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 20V (125 Hp) 4motion (AGN) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 T 20V (150 Hp) (AGU, AQA, ARZ, AUM, AWD, AWW) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.8 T 20V (180 Hp) (AUQ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 (115 Hp) (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 (115 Hp) 4motion (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 (115 Hp) Automatic (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 (116 Hp) (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 (116 Hp) Automatic (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 i (116 Hp) 4motion (APK, AQY, AZJ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 V5 (150 Hp) (AGZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 V5 (150 Hp) 4motion (AGZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 V5 20V (150 Hp) (AQN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 V5 20V (150 Hp) 4motion (AQN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 V5 20V (150 Hp) Automatic (AQN) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 VR5 (170 Hp) (AGZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 VR5 (170 Hp) 4motion (AGZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.3 VR5 (170 Hp) Automatic (AGZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.8 V6 (204 Hp) 4motion (AQP, AUE, BDE) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.8 VR6 (204 Hp) 4motion (AQP, AUE, BDE) No reports 0 No issues reported
R32 3.2 VR6 24V (240 Hp) (BJS, BML) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
1.9 SDI (68 Hp) (AGP, AQM) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) (ATD, AXR, BEW) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) (ATD, AXR) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) 4motion (ATD, AXR, BEW) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 15 more engines
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) 4motion (ATD) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) Automatic (ATD, AXR, BEW) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (101 Hp) Automatic (ATD, AXR) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (110 Hp) (AHF, ASV) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (110 Hp) Automatic (AHF, ASV) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (115 Hp) (AJM, AUY) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (115 Hp) 4motion (AJM, AUY) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (115 Hp) 4motion (AJM) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (130 Hp) (ASZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (130 Hp) 4motion (ASZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (130 Hp) Automatic (ASZ) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (150 Hp) (ARL) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (150 Hp) 4motion (ARL) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (90 Hp) (AGR, ALH) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (90 Hp) 4motion (AGR) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.4 16V (75 Hp) Station wagon (estate) 198,000 km

Problem: Air Conditioning

Very good perceived quality (padded dashboard and instrument panel) that lasts over time. Engine a bit weak on pickup (although I drive gently). Average suspension. Loud noises in the cabin if driving with rear windows slightly open (no AC in my car). Problem with front power windows requiring the replacement of the entire door interior, not covered by VW, so not done (I blocked the windows with pieces of wood...!!!).

Pros: Very good perceived quality (padded dashboard and instrument panel) that lasts over time.
Cons: Engine a bit weak on pickup (although I drive gently)., Average suspension., Loud noises in the cabin if rear windows are slightly open (no AC in my car)., Problem with front power windows requiring full door interior replacement, not covered by VW (windows blocked with wood).
Verified owner Verified
Volkswagen Golf IV 1.4 16V (75 Hp) Station wagon (estate) 110,000 km

Issue: Clutch

I've had the car since 89,000 km. Around 100,000 km, the clutch started slipping. I thought it was normal wear (the previous owner did a lot of city driving), but upon opening the gearbox...

Pros: Inexpensive used! Price of parts! Driving a VW cheaply for a young person is very 'rewarding'. Excellent braking!
Cons: Limited power, have to rev the gears (3500 rpm) for it to reveal its 'potential'. Fuel consumption, obviously, but it's a petrol!, Gearbox design flaw (see encountered problems)., I've had the car since 89,000 km, around 100,000 km the clutch started slipping, I thought it was normal wear (previous owner did a lot of city driving), but upon opening the gearbox..., 1.6, 1.9 SDI. Hoping to have saved some cars, I share this information which should be taken very seriously. Many forums discuss it.

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