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Before you buy a used Volkswagen Golf VI.

2008–2012 · Petrol / Diesel · 5 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Volkswagen Golf VI, real photo of this generation
M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.

  • A/C not cooling: N280 valveClimate control
    Period mentioned
    2006–2026
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only if fitted with the air conditioning system described.

  • Haldex all-wheel-drive coupling pumpTransmission
    Period mentioned
    2007–2020
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Only all-wheel-drive versions (4Motion, transverse-engine quattro, 4x4 or 4Drive) with a 4th or 5th generation Haldex coupling.

1.2 TSI (EA111) · 1.4 TSI (EA111)

Petrol

1.6 TDI (EA189)

Diesel

  • Cracked EGR coolerCooling / EGR
    Period mentioned
    Approx. 2010–2020
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

These also apply, described above: DSG7 gearbox mechatronic unit (DQ200)

2.0 TDI (EA189)

Diesel

  • DQ250 DSG mechatronic and oilDSG gearbox
    Period mentioned
    2003–2020
    Mileage mentioned
    From 60,000 km

    Applies if: Only if fitted with the 6-speed DQ250 DSG. Confirm the gearbox type.

These also apply, described above: Cracked EGR cooler

2.0 TSI GTI (EA888 gen 2)

Petrol

These also apply, described above: DQ250 DSG mechatronic and oil

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Volkswagen Golf VI
EngineDocumented faults
1.2 TSI (EA111)PetrolFewest documented43 with conditions
1.4 TSI (EA111)PetrolFewest documented43 with conditions
1.6 TDI (EA189)DieselFewest documented43 with conditions
2.0 TDI (EA189)DieselFewest documented43 with conditions
2.0 TSI GTI (EA888 gen 2)Petrol53 with conditions

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.2 TSI (EA111) (Petrol), 1.4 TSI (EA111) (Petrol), 1.6 TDI (EA189) (Diesel), 2.0 TDI (EA189) (Diesel).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

We have no official recalls on record for this model. Our list is not complete: ask anyway, with the chassis number.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Volkswagen dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 8 checked

Timing system

  • Look out for: Rattle on a cold start, engine light for timing deviation; if the chain jumps, the engine cranks but won't start.

    Ask them to check: Listen to a cold start and read the timing deviation values with VCDS. Ask for an invoice showing the revised kit was fitted.

  • Look out for: Metallic rattle for a few seconds on a cold start, engine light for camshaft/crankshaft correlation; in the worst case the engine won't start after a loud noise.

    Ask them to check: An inspection plug on the lower timing cover shows the tensioner position. Listen to a cold start.

Cooling / EGR

  • Look out for: Coolant level drops with no visible leak, white smoke with a sweet smell, rising temperature or engine light. In severe cases the engine hydrolocks.

    Ask them to check: Cooling system pressure test and check for coolant in the intake or manifold.

Engine

  • Look out for: Very high oil consumption (over 1 litre per 1,000 km), low oil warning, bluish smoke, oil-fouled spark plugs.

    Ask them to check: Controlled oil consumption test over 1,000 km, compression or leak-down test and a PCV valve check.

Gearbox

  • Look out for: Judder or shudder pulling away in 1st/2nd, reverse won't engage, PRNDS letters flashing or a spanner warning, gearbox stuck in one gear (limp mode).

    Ask them to check: Read the gearbox module faults with VCDS, OBDeleven or similar and check the mechatronic fuse.

Climate control

  • Look out for: The air does not cool or cools intermittently (for example only at motorway speed), and sometimes the compressor rattles with the A/C on. Codes 01232 (N280 valve), P2612 or 00898.

    Ask them to check: Read the codes and N280 control current with VCDS or ODIS, measure its resistance (about 10 ohms) and check the connector and wiring before replacing parts. If the valve or compressor is replaced, the whole circuit must be flushed.

Transmission

  • Look out for: All-wheel-drive warning or a pump error in diagnostics, the car behaves like front-wheel drive (wheelspin in the wet or on gravel) and sometimes no cluster warning even with stored codes.

    Ask them to check: Read the all-wheel-drive module with VCDS, OBDeleven or ODIS (ODIS shows the pump current) and check in the history when the oil was changed and whether the filter was replaced and the strainer cleaned. After servicing, an adaptation with diagnostic equipment is recommended on generations 4 and 5.

DSG gearbox

  • Look out for: Jerking or shudder when pulling away and at low speed, harsh shifts, gearbox warning or limp mode; codes P17BF, P189C, P0841, P0871 or P0717.

    Ask them to check: Read codes with ODIS or VCDS, check the oil change history, inspect the pan for rust or leaks and the clutch adaptation values. Replacing the mechatronic control board is often enough.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P0016P189CP1895P17BFP0841P072B01232P261200898P0871P0717

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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