Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €386 | €1,500 | 1,181 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1997–2006 | |
| 1.6, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €410 | €1,500 | 362 | Petrol (98) | Manual (5) | 2000–2006 | |
| 1.9 TDI, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €387 | €1,700 | 271 | Diesel | Manual (5) | 2000–2006 | |
| 1.9 TDI, 100 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €424 | €1,700 | 271 | Diesel | Manual (6) | 2000–2005 | |
| 1.6, 102 PS, 4-speed automatic Research | €437 | €2,400 | 240 | Petrol / Petrol (98) | Automatic (4) | 1999–2006 | |
| 1.6, 100 PS, 4-speed automatic Research | €454 | €2,400 | 238 | Petrol | Automatic (4) | 1998–2000 | |
| 1.6, 100 PS, 5-speed automatic Research | €452 | €2,400 | 238 | Petrol | Automatic (5) | 1998–2000 | |
| 1.6, 100 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €424 | €1,400 | 228 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1997–2000 | |
| 2.0 Bi-Fuel, 102 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €319 | €1,350 | 184 | Natural gas | Manual (5) | 2002–2006 | |
| 2.0, 115 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €441 | €1,500 | 97 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1999–2006 | |
| 2.0, 115 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €465 | €1,500 | 97 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 2000–2006 | |
| Cabriolet 2.0, 115 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research | €430 | €3,500 | 87 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1998–2003 | |
| Cabriolet 1.6, 100 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research | €425 | €2,499 | 84 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1998–2000 | |
| 1.8 5V, 150 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €444 | €3,600 | 81 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1997–2003 | |
| 1.6 FSI, 110 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €391 | €1,900 | 66 | Petrol (98) | Manual (5) | 2002–2006 | |
| 1.9 TDI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €386 | €1,500 | 66 | Diesel | Manual (5) | 1997–2002 | |
| 1.9 TDI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €404 | €1,500 | 66 | Diesel | Manual (5) | 1998–2000 | |
| 2.3 V5, 150 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €493 | €3,250 | 63 | Petrol | Manual (5) | 1997–2000 | |
| 2.3 V5, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €524 | €3,250 | 63 | Petrol | Manual (6) | 1999–2000 | |
| 2.0, 115 PS, 4-speed automatic Research | €472 | €2,000 | 51 | Petrol | Automatic (4) | 1999–2006 |
Show all 20 variants
At a glance
- Years: the hatchback was built 1997 to 2003. Some versions are listed up to 2006.
- Biggest risks: manual gearbox rivets on cars built up to July 2001, timing chain stretch on the VR6 and R32, and turbo ignition coils.
- Reliability: 2/5, because gearbox, timing chain and injector repairs are costly.
- DIY: 3/5, because the costly faults are gearbox and engine jobs.
- Prefer: manual cars built from 2001 on, after the rivet change. Avoid: early manual cars with no gearbox proof, and 1.8T cars with no coil records.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.4 petrol: high oil use.
- 1.4 petrol, built up to early 2002: frost can damage the crankcase ventilation. VW ran a service action in January 2003 that added heated ventilation.
- 2.0 petrol: high oil use. Check the oil level between services.
- 1.8T petrol: ignition coils fail, mostly on cars built 2001 to early 2003.
- VR6 and R32 (3.2 V6) petrol: the timing chain can stretch and cause engine damage. Cars with the 3.2 V6 built 2003 and 2004 are named most often.
- 1.9 TDI: injectors can fail, pump-injector units may need an overhaul at high mileage, and the timing belt must change on time.
- 5-speed manual: the differential rivets can break on the 1.4, 1.6 and 1.9 SDI, on cars built up to July 2001.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual gearbox rivets | 5-speed manual on 1.4, 1.6 and 1.9 SDI, built up to July 2001 | Not stated | 800 to 1,400 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| VR6 and R32 timing chain | VR6 and R32 (3.2 V6) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| TDI pump-injector units | 1.9 TDI pump-injector | Not stated | 500 to 1,100 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| TDI timing belt | 1.9 TDI | Not stated | 400 to 650 EUR with water pump (Germany, year not stated) |
| Clutch on manual cars | Manual gearbox, TDI in particular | Not stated | 450 to 950 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
| Turbo ignition coils | 1.8T petrol, built 2001 to early 2003 | Not stated | 100 to 200 EUR for coils and leads (Germany, year not stated) |
| Oil use and crankcase freeze | 1.4 petrol (crankcase, built up to early 2002) and 2.0 petrol (oil use) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Window regulators | Power windows, all engines | Not stated | 120 to 220 EUR per side for the carrier (Germany, year not stated) |
Before you buy
- Gearbox: check the build date. On a 1.4, 1.6 or 1.9 SDI manual car built up to July 2001, ask for proof that the gearbox has had its rivet work or a rebuild. A bad result is no proof.
- Pump-injector: on a 1.9 TDI, ask for injector or pump-injector records. A bad result is no records on a high-mileage car.
- Clutch: on a manual car, ask when the clutch was last replaced. A bad result is no record on a car with high mileage.
- Timing belt: on a 1.9 TDI, ask for proof that the timing belt and water pump were changed by 80,000 to 90,000 km. A bad result is no proof.
- Windows: test every window up and down, including any automatic function. A bad result is a window that does not move, moves slowly or drops.
- Turbo coils: on a 1.8T built 2001 to early 2003, ask whether the coils were changed. Listen for rough idle. A bad result is rough idle or no coil records.
- VR6 and R32 chain: ask for proof of timing chain work on a VR6 or R32. A bad result is no record on a car with high mileage.
- Oil: on a 1.4 or 2.0 petrol, check the oil level after the test drive and ask about top-ups between services. A bad result is oil that is low between services.
- Crankcase: on a 1.4 built up to early 2002, ask whether the January 2003 heated crankcase ventilation work was done. A bad result is no record.
Running costs
| Operational | €207 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €99 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €108 |
| Total per month | €414 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €35 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 3,450
- 25th percentile
- €1,200
- Median price
- €1,700
- 75th percentile
- €2,500
- Median mileage
- 206,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2001
- Dealer share
- 12.8%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €2,357
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Manual gearbox rivets
The differential ring gear in the manual gearbox is held by rivets. On the 1.4, 1.6 and 1.9 SDI, a weak rivet can break and destroy the gearbox. VW fitted thicker rivets, 11 mm instead of 9 mm, from 2001. Some later gearboxes still have the old rivets, so the build date alone is no guarantee. A repair costs 800 to 1,400 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AUTO BILD, 2018 test, Motor-Talk buyer guide
VR6 and R32 timing chain
The timing chain drives the camshafts. On the 3.2 V6 built 2003 to 2004, the chain can stretch and cause engine damage. The R32 also has stretched chains. Clogged oil pump valves can wear the oil pump and the chain tensioner, and the chain then stretches. No repair price is confirmed.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Motor-Talk buyer guide
TDI pump-injector units
On the 1.9 TDI pump-injector engine, the injectors can fail. High-mileage pump-injector units may need an overhaul. An overhaul or seal job costs 500 to 1,100 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Motor-Talk buyer guide
TDI timing belt
The timing belt drives the camshaft. Replace it by 80,000 to 90,000 km, earlier than some official intervals, together with the water pump. Belts tear, especially on TDI engines. The belt and water pump job costs 400 to 650 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Za Rulem, 2002 test, AUTO BILD, 2006 test
Clutch on manual cars
The clutch wears fast, on TDI engines in particular. A worn clutch is a common and costly job on used cars. A clutch kit costs 450 to 950 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AUTO BILD, 2018 test, Motor-Talk buyer guide
Turbo ignition coils
The ignition coils on the 1.8T can fail, mostly on cars built 2001 to early 2003. A failing coil causes rough idle. In 2005 the US safety agency NHTSA looked into stalling from failed coils on 2000 to 2003 Jetta, Golf and Passat cars. It closed the case in December 2005 without a recall. Coils and leads cost 100 to 200 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Tengriauto, NHTSA investigation DP05004
Oil use and crankcase freeze
The 1.4 and 2.0 petrol engines can use a lot of oil. Check the oil level between services. On the 1.4 built up to early 2002, frost can damage the crankcase ventilation. VW ran a service action in January 2003 to add heated ventilation. No repair price is confirmed.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AUTO BILD, 2018 test, Motor-Talk buyer guide
Window regulators
Window regulators fail in several ways. The drive carrier breaks, the plastic clips break, and on some cars the guide rails break. Forcing a window that is frozen shut can break the rails. A failed regulator stops the window. A carrier costs 120 to 220 EUR per side (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Tengriauto, Za Rulem, 2002 test
Recalls
No recall is confirmed for this generation in the sources used for this guide.
Maintenance
- Replace the timing belt and water pump by 80,000 to 90,000 km, earlier than some official intervals. Belts tear, especially on TDI engines.
- Check the oil level between services on 1.4 and 2.0 petrol engines.
Sources
English
German
- Gebrauchtwagenberater: VW Golf IV weak points
- AUTO BILD: VW Golf 4 used car test, 2018
- AUTO BILD: used car test Golf I to V, 2006
- Motor-Talk: buyer guide Golf 4 and Bora