VW Golf II facelift 1.3 Kat., 55 PS, 4-speed manual (1987–1992)

Power: 55 PS (40 kW)
Engine codes: –
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Production years: 1987–1992
Running cost per month: –
Fuel: Petrol (91)
Median price: €3,650
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 3/5

Research for this car

Generation guide VW Golf 2 (1983-1992): known problems and buying guide
Rust is the main risk. Check the sills, wheel arches and tailgate first, then the brake hoses and suspension rubber.

Known issues for this car

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost	Source
Rust	All cars: sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, tailgate, fuel filler neck	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Brake hoses and lines	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Suspension rubber and joints	All cars: bushes, boots, track rod ends, wheel bearings, shock absorbers	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Oil leaks	Engine and gearbox seals	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Head gasket	All engines, after high mileage	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Fuel injection running problems	Petrol cars with K-Jetronic injection	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Manual gearbox wear	Manual gearbox: second gear and shift linkage	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
G60 supercharger	G60 supercharged 1.8 petrol	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

Sills and wheel arches: look under the car and inside the arches, behind the plastic liners. A bad result is bubbling paint or soft metal.
Tailgate, windscreen frame and fuel filler neck: check each one for bubbles and rust. A bad result is rust that has broken through the metal.
Battery tray, jacking points and front subframe: check them from underneath. A bad result is a soft spot or rust through the metal.
Brake hoses and lines: check each hose for cracks, blisters and leaks, and the brake lines for rust. A bad result is any porous or leaking hose, or corroded lines.
Suspension rubber and joints: check the bushes, boots, track rod ends and wheel bearings. A bad result is torn boots, worn bushes, or play in a wheel bearing.
Oil leaks: look for oil on the engine and the gearbox. A bad result is any leak.
Fuel injection (K-Jetronic, a mechanical fuel injection system): on a petrol car, start the engine cold and then warm, and listen to the idle. A bad result is a rough or erratic idle.
Manual gearbox: shift through every gear, second included, and try reverse. A bad result is a gear that is hard to select, or a loose gear lever.
G60 supercharger: ask when the supercharger was last overhauled, with a receipt. A bad result is no proof of any overhaul.

Running costs

Operational	–
Workshop	–
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€78
Total per month	–
New-car depreciation (not included)	–

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 125
25th percentile: €2,500
Median price: €3,650
75th percentile: €4,999
Median mileage: 155,000 km
Median first registration: 1990
Dealer share: 8.8%

Check a listing

Prices by first registration

First registration	Listings	Median price	Median mileage
1993	2	–	–
1992	4	–	–
1991	43	€3,500	174,000 km
1990	38	€3,333	159,670 km
1989	25	€3,800	125,573 km
1988	10	€3,800	104,000 km
1987	3	–	–

Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.

Price history

Month	Listings	Median price	Middle half	Median mileage
Nov 2026	125	€3,650	€2,500 – €4,999	155,000 km
Oct 2026	125	€3,650	€2,500 – €4,999	155,000 km

Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.

ADAC versions

All 51 ADAC versions

Version	Power	Doors	Production years	Running cost per month
Golf 1.3	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 CL	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 GL	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 CL	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 GL	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Memphis	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Memphis	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 "10 Millionen"	55 PS	3	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 "10 Millionen"	55 PS	5	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Manhattan	55 PS	3	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Manhattan	55 PS	5	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Boston	55 PS	3	1989	–
Golf 1.3 Boston	55 PS	5	1989	–
Golf 1.3 Tour	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Tour	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Kat.	55 PS	3	1987–1991	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. CL	55 PS	3	1987–1991	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. GL	55 PS	5	1987–1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat.	55 PS	5	1987–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. CL	55 PS	5	1987–1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Memphis	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Memphis	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Manhattan	55 PS	3	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Manhattan	55 PS	5	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Boston	55 PS	3	1989	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Boston	55 PS	5	1989	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Madison	55 PS	3	1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Madison	55 PS	5	1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Moda	55 PS	3	1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Moda	55 PS	5	1990	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Pasadena	55 PS	3	1991	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Pasadena	55 PS	5	1991	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Function	55 PS	3	1991–1992	–
Golf 1.3 Kat. Function	55 PS	5	1991–1992	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat.	55 PS	3	1987–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. CL	55 PS	3	1987–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. GL	55 PS	3	1987–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat.	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. CL	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. GL	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Memphis	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Memphis	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. "10 Millionen"	55 PS	3	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. "10 Millionen"	55 PS	5	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Manhattan	55 PS	3	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Manhattan	55 PS	5	1988–1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Boston	55 PS	3	1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Boston	55 PS	5	1989	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Tour	55 PS	3	1987–1988	–
Golf 1.3 U-Kat. Tour	55 PS	5	1987–1988	–