Before you buy a used Volkswagen Golf VII.

Look out for: Rhythmic jerking (“kangaroo effect”) and hesitation when accelerating at roughly 1,200–2,000 rpm, with a cold engine and in low gears; most noticeable with a manual gearbox.

Ask them to check: Test the car from cold in first and second gear, and check at the dealer whether the latest engine control unit software is installed.

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.

Look out for: Slow coolant loss, sweet smell, low-coolant warning and coolant residue under the intake manifold. Overheating is rare unless the level drops a lot.

Ask them to check: Look for coolant residue where the module meets the block and between pump and thermostat, check the level and pressure-test the system.

Look out for: Coolant level drops slowly with no visible puddle, dried white or pink residue behind the engine, a sweet smell and a low-level warning. If loss continues, it can overheat.

Ask them to check: With the engine cold, monitor the level for several days and look for dried residue around the housing and the coolant pipe under the air box. At a garage: pressure test and check for nearby oil leaks. Replacing pump and housing as one assembly is recommended; do not use stop-leak products. Never open the system hot.

Look out for: Usually none. In rare cases, overheating or fire in the engine bay or battery.

Ask them to check: Confirm by VIN at the dealer that the high-voltage system recalls have been done.

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.

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.

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.

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.