Used Volkswagen Golf 2020-present reliability

It's too soon to register any major reported problems for the Mk8 Golf, but there have been issues with the touchscreen infotainment system failing to respond quickly or even failing completely. It's worth checking with your local dealer if any remedial work has been carried out on the Golf you are thinking of buying.

There have been two recall notices so far:

Reason for recall

On affected vehicles the e-call service may not function

How the manufacturer will repair: Update the Online Control Unit software on the affected vehicle.

Number of affected vehicles: 4630

Reason for recall

Faulty crash sensors for airbag and restraint systems may have been fitted in the front doors.

How the manufacturer will repair: The crash sensors in the front doors are to be checked and if necessary replaced.

Number of affected vehicles: 124

This Mk8 version of the Golf finished in 34th place out of 37 cars in the family car class.

Reliability rating 76.3%

Forty-eight percent of examples of the VW Golf reported on had a glitch, nearly two-thirds concerning the infotainment or other electrical systems. Repairs were slow, taking more than a week in 40% of instances. VW covered the cost of 89% of repairs, leaving a very small percentage of owners having to pay up to £1500 to get things put right.

Volkswagen finished at the lower end of the mid-pack in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, in 22nd place out of 32 manufacturers. That put it above Audi and Mercedes, but below other rival brands, including BMW, Ford, Mazda, Seat and Skoda.