VW Golf VI: reliability issues ? real or not ?

[rs73]

My mk6 GTI - an ex-demo with possibly been trashed by numerous tyre kickers - has been ultra-reliable in the past 24 months and 25,000km. Not a single glitch....

According to latest JD Power survey released VW is like the bottom rank, as per what TheAge posted on their website.
I'd say those survey reponders probably don't know how to operate a toaster let alone a car...
Considering their review period is 90 days, and it range from audio and electronics issue - which suggest that probably 80% of those issue can be solved by RTFM (read the f%$#n manual) - it also suggested that my MK6 VW Golf is indeed 8x more reliable than the survey indicate (since it still lasted 8x longer than the 3 month).

Maybe I should drive it back to my VW dealer and demanded a refund because they sold me an "abnormally reliable" car?

A colleague of mine also testified that her mk5 golf was also the most reliable car she has ever had.

[Tobes_WIR35]

As a huge fan and regular user and specifier of German engineering in general, and from an engineer's point of view, it's like this. If you design something from scratch with emerging technology which offers vast improvements in safety, dynamics, efficiency, comfort and convenience, (ie; Volkswagen) versus something that is basic, proven, and doesn't break the mould in any way (ie; Toyota etc) then there is no question that the high tech project should have far more reliability issues than the old stock.

The fact that VW (and others) remain not far off, or as good, or better, than your run of the mill Toyotas, Mazdas, etc in reliability stakes is a demonstration of the quality of engineering and quality management at Volkswagen. My advice to a potential buyer would be that if reliability is the only or the main criteria when buying a new vehicle, then you're wasting your time and money on a Volkswagen and a boring Toyota would be more appropriate (and cheaper).

I've got a MK6 GTI, with a few mods, and gets driven the way it was supposed to be including race track appearances, and so far my 30,000km has been problem free with the exception of a few minor noises. I've owned and operated (as company vehicles) quite a few different news cars from various manufacturers. It is very likely that my next car when the lease runs out on my GTI will be the MK7 GTI or R, or if they happen to bring out an "R" Tiguan, then maybe that.

[Candyman]

Owned a MKV GTI and now my R

A small sample but in my experience, VW, the two I have owned, and others I know, is generally not reliable at all

Electrical issues, mechanical issues, panel fit etc, all below average if not poor.

VW aren't advanced in terms of what they offer, hell, it took them until the MKVI to even offer bluetooth FFS and even then, it is flakey.

Their DSG, despite years in the market is still flakey

The MKVI is hardly "new" in design or mechanics. In fact, it is ancient by car standards.

This is why we sold our GTI just out of warranty and why we got extended warranty on the R but will sell it after that expires as well.

Still, no other offering comes close as an overall package for the price (specifically the R) so I accept the issues that come with it.

[Tobes_WIR35]

The MKVI is hardly "new" in design or mechanics. In fact, it is ancient by car standards.

I'm not sure what you're comparing it to, but compared to a Corolla, Mazda 3, and all of the other cars that sit around the lower model Golfs in terms of size and price (the lower models being what the OP is asking about), it is a generation ahead mechanically, even now that the MK5/6 platform is 7 years old. Granted that the Jap brands have followed a different mechanical path, a'la CVT transmission (fine if you want a smooth ride, total buzz-kill if you actually enjoy driving).

The only one that comes close is the Focus, which for now is probably considered an "equal" to the Golf, but I would make the forecast that once the MK7 hits the ground, that will change. But it's like you said, we can only offer our experiences up in the context of the microscopic samples of the market that we as individuals are.

[Finance_Analyst]

The JD power survey is pretty much industry standard and there are not many surprises - Lexus always top and so they should. Benz nornally does better than BMW, but Porsche is generally top of the Euros.

While I cannot speak for VW as my car is only 13 months old and 9,000km and I personally haven't had any issues (except for losing all 4 centre caps), there is no denying that VW have had their fair share of reliability issues. Jettas and Tourags from what I hear are most dodgy, followed by Polos. Funny that none of the aformentioned cars are built in Germany either.....

[walbjj]

Just over a year and 20k km, only issue has been whistling water pump fixed under warranty and my iPod seems to freeze with the rcd 510 which it never did in Previous cars but a simple reset fixes it.
Those r the only issues. Hardly anything to kick up a stink about. Not sure what problems others have had but I'll give the car another 3 years til the end of lease and see but sO far it's great

[nat225]

the issues are real on some models.

i had a 118tsi before, had an engine replacement, yet i still loved VAG and traded it in with a GTI.

despite the bad publicity, dsg nightmares, etc... i see and know so many people going from mk4 to mk5, then to mk6. someone even went from a mk6 gti manual to gti dsg, others went from mk5/6 gti to R or Sirocco R.

life is too short to drive boring bland reliable predictable common old man cars

my other car is 2010 Accord Euro, voted the most reliable car in UK back in 2009. it has been reliable but it does not excite me much, it is good and comfy for long distance travel, going to shops, commuting to work, etc... basically i sometimes feel so sleepy driving it

[Mountainman]

In 1974 the Wheels Magazine Car of the Year was the Leyland P76 not that it has any bearing on this thread but sometimes cars win and they get withdrawn from production soon after.

Followed by the Mk1 Golf in 1976 and look at the reputation that they quickly developed because of poor assembly/indifferent dealer back-up/poor quality components. The most troublesome, unreliable car I've ever owned yet I still forgave it for too many years. It's no coincidence that the next most troublesome car I've owned is my present Golf 90TSI (yet I like it so much that I forgive it every time). My Japanese assembled cars have been the best with the last and latest Subarus top of the list.

[Pullstarter]

1982 car of the year - Holden Camira, enough said bahahaha.

[rossw]

Just to add another data point, my MY12 90TSI bought in December has been fine so far for 11,000km, DSG and all. The only issue I've had is with one of the lanyards that support the rear shelf when it is open. It has come apart. I plan to get it fixed at the first service in a few month's time.

I think the 90TSI escapes the engine issues of the 118TSI. That and the ~$4K price difference was enough to point me at the cheaper model.