Buying Guide Golf MK4 Review - Common Faults to Check

What to look for & Common Problems with MK4 VW Golf?

Even the newest VW Golf MK4 is now at least 10 years as production ceased in 2004 although Boras were made for a few years after that.

Golf MK4 Review - Common Faults to Check

The MK4 Golf is a generally reliable car and most areas to look at are common for any used car you are buying such as checking service records and maintenance history. However there are a few common trouble spots that are worth checking out.

Buying Guide Golf MK4 Review

Early on in their life it was common for the rear wiper pipe to come loose and end up leaking. This causes the boot lock to become corroded as well as the handle. Generally the wiper pipe has been fixed by now but the corrosion remains unless dealt with.

Rust on VW Golf front wings is another common fault but one that is easy to fix either with replacement wings or treating the rust. This seems to be due to the way the foam is fitted under the wheel arch liner which traps water and causes rust to start.

Rust on VW Golf front wings

As with any diesel car after a long time the DMF (dual mass flywheel) can wear and cause vibration. When this needs to be replaced it's generally worth doing the clutch at the same time as the main cost is the labour to remove parts to access them.

Electric windows were prone to break as plastic clips were originally used. Later parts were metal so if these were repaired earlier in the car's life then they should be good for a few more years.

Service history is vitally important for the PD diesel cars. These are some of the best MK4 Golfs available as they combine excellent fuel economy with rapid and effortless performance especially on the motorway. However they need specific oil due to the high pressure fuel system and this needs to be changed regularly so I'd avoid any car that has no detailed service history unless it is a very low price.

The engine wiring loom is a routine service part for the PD engines and as it is covered in hot oil it can degrade the casing causing misfires. It's not an expensive job to change and one that is worth doing if you spot any issues.

VW Golf MK4 Interior

As with any older car I'd recommend buying on condition not mileage. My previous MK4 Golf GT TDI PD150 was sold with 250,000 miles on the clock. 2 years later it has now passed 270k and had a new MOT with no advisories.