VW Golf VIII 1.5 TSI, 130 PS, 6-speed manual (2019–2024)

Research for this car

• Generation guide VW Golf 8 (2019-today): known problems and buying guide

  Mostly software faults in the emergency call, infotainment and assistance. Get dealer proof of the updates, then check the DQ200 gearbox.

• Engine guide VW 1.5 TSI and eTSI (EA211 evo) petrol: problems, costs and what to check

  Cold-start judder, oil use, coolant leaks and 48 V faults are the risks, so buy a late car with software and service records and check the oil and coolant.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Emergency call and infotainment updates. Ask a dealer to check the car's record for the 2020 emergency call update and the 2021 and 2022 infotainment updates. Bad result: an update is missing.
2. Judder. Pull away gently from cold. Bad result: a judder or jerk at low speed. Ask whether the engine software is up to date.
3. Infotainment. Use the navigation, phone and climate controls for about ten minutes. Bad result: freezes, reboots or a slow start.
4. Assistance systems. On a test drive, check emergency braking, Travel Assist and the parking aids. Bad result: a "not available" message, or braking for no reason.
5. 12 V battery. With the engine off, measure the battery voltage with a multimeter. Bad result: below 12.3 V.

From the engine guide

1. Oil use (no scanner). Check the dipstick and top-up history. Bad: low level, blue smoke, or ring work without an invoice.
2. ACT and camshaft (scanner). Listen for a shudder when the engine switches from two to four cylinders, and read faults. Bad: constant shudder, EPC light, or camshaft codes.
3. Coolant (no scanner). Check the level cold; look for white residue or a sweet smell near the thermostat module. Bad: low level, stains, weak cabin heat.
4. Particulate filter (scanner). On a short-trip car, read soot load and GPF codes. Bad: GPF lamp or regeneration faults.
5. Cold start (scanner). Start stone cold; pull away in 1st and 2nd. Bad: judder between 1,200 and 1,800 rpm. Ask for the update record; a scanner shows the ECU version.
6. Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check. Bad: an open 24ER, 24EV or 24EP campaign.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions