Nina Caldwell
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 is a popular car, with millions of units sold worldwide. It is considered one of the best and most reliable second-hand cars available, with a comfortable and well-finished interior. However, some owners have reported various issues with the vehicle, including electrical problems, automatic transmission problems, and common faults with windows, door locks, and the hatchback lock. Despite these issues, the Golf Mk4 is generally regarded as a safe and durable car, and many owners have reported positive experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reliability | Some users report electrical problems, others report no issues. |
| Awards | Best Family Car from Top Gear Magazine in 1998, Best Small Hatch from What Car in 1998, Best Used Small Family Car |
| Variants | Two-door hatchback, four-door hatchback, wagon, convertible, sedan (Bora in Europe, Jetta in the US) |
| Years | 1998-2004 in Europe, continued in Brazil until 2013 |
| Interior | High-quality materials, comfortable, well-finished |
| Engine | 170bhp Golf V5, 150bhp Golf GTI 1.8T, 180bhp SEAT Leon 20VT Cupra, 115bhp 2.0 GTIs, 100bhp 1.6SEs |
| CO2 emissions | 146g/km |
| Top speed | 117mph |
| Acceleration | 0-60mph in 11.0 seconds |
| Fuel economy | 52mpg |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Price | £14,200-£17,130 |
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What You'll Learn
Mk4 Golfs are considered reliable second-hand cars
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 is considered one of the best and most reliable second-hand cars available today. With millions of units sold worldwide, it is one of the most popular cars ever made. It is comfortable, has a well-finished and durable interior, and is very cheap to run, especially the TDI diesel models. The Mk4 Golf is also easy to service at home, with tons of parts available.
The Mk4 Golf was sold as a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback, a wagon, and a convertible. It was produced from 1997 to 2004 in Europe and until 2013 in Brazil, with a new face and rear end. During its long production run, the Mk4 Golf received multiple awards, including Best Family Car from Top Gear Magazine in 1998, Best Small Hatch from What Car in 1998, and Best Used Small Family Car.
However, the Mk4 Golf is not without its problems. Some common issues include electrical problems, door locks and window actuators that break, and airbag lights that come on for various reasons. In addition, some models, such as the 1.8T, are known to burn a lot of oil. Despite these issues, the Mk4 Golf is still a popular and reliable choice for a second-hand car, with many positive reviews from owners.
One owner of a 2003 Jetta GLs 2.0 with a manual transmission loves the car, despite some issues with the headliner. They find it reliable and a fun drive every day. Another owner of a Mk4 with 180,000 miles has only had to fix a few minor issues, and the car has been going great.
Overall, the Mk4 Golf is a safe and durable choice for a second-hand car, with a strong image and reputation for quality and reliability. While there are some common issues to look out for, it is a well-loved and award-winning car that is comfortable, cheap to run, and easy to service.
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They are easy and cheap to service
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 is one of the best second-hand cars you can buy today, with tons of parts available and easy servicing at home. The Mk4 Golf is comfortable to ride, has a good-quality interior, and is very cheap to run, especially with TDI diesel engines. The Mk4 Golf is also known for its durability, with many Volkswagen Golfs on the second-hand market, making it easy to find the right car.
Despite the Volkswagen Golf Mk4's reputation for quality and reliability, some owners have experienced problems. Electrical issues are common, especially with automatic transmission models. Other issues include door locks, window actuators, and the airbag light coming on. However, these problems can often be fixed at home, and the Mk4 Golf's easy servicing makes it a good choice for those looking for a reliable second-hand car.
One owner of a 2003 Mk4 Golf reported having zero problems, while another owner of a 2004 model had to bring their car in for warranty work due to electrical issues. It's important to be critical of responses and reviews, as some issues may be due to modifications or lack of proper care. Overall, the Mk4 Golf is a safe car with a quality feel, and its easy and cheap servicing makes it a popular choice for those looking for a reliable vehicle.
The Mk4 Golf has a strong image and is sought after by many. Its predecessor, the Mark 3 Golf, won the 1992 Car of the Year Award, and the Mk4 Golf received multiple awards, including Best Family Car from Top Gear Magazine and Best Small Hatch from What Car, both in 1998. The Mk4 Golf is known for its durability, and even 20 years later, its interior is still holding up well.
In terms of maintenance and servicing, the Mk4 Golf is a good choice. It has low CO2 emissions, with the PD 130 TDI engine emitting only 146g/km. The Golf is also known for its serious road-holding and handling improvements, especially in the 2002 model year. With its easy servicing and low running costs, the Mk4 Golf is a cost-effective and reliable option for many.
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They have a strong image for durability
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 has a strong image for durability. It is one of the best second-hand cars you can buy today, with tons of parts available and easy servicing at home. The Mk4 Golf is still a familiar sight on the streets of Eastern Europe and South America, where it soldiers on with the unmistakable sound of that TDI engine.
The Mk4 Golf was sold as a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback, a wagon, and a convertible, with a variety of trim options. It is known for its comfortable ride and good quality interior, with a solid and durable feel. The fourth-generation Volkswagen Golf is by no means the best version, but it still has a lot to offer, including a well-finished interior and a strong image for durability.
Despite the huge number of quality problems experienced by some owners, the Mk4 Golf has a strong image for durability. Some owners have experienced electrical problems, while others have had no issues at all. It is important to be aware of any potential problems when buying a Mk4 Golf, but overall, it is a safe car with a quality feel.
The Mk4 Golf has a strong image for durability, and this is reflected in the multiple awards it received during its lifetime, including Best Family Car from Top Gear Magazine in 1998, Best Small Hatch from What Car in 1998, and Best Used Small Family Car. It is also known for its very low CO2 emissions and serious road-holding and handling improvements.
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Mk3s and Mk4s have bad electrical problems
The Mk3 and Mk4 Golfs are known for their electrical problems. One source states that it is very common for these models to have terrible electric problems. The same source goes on to say that the worst issues are with the door locks and window actuators, which break in some number in pretty much every car. Other electrical issues include the airbag light coming on, problems with the ABS light, and the handbrake light coming on randomly.
Another source states that the Mk4 Golf has a love/hate relationship with VWs, where owners either have a lot of electrical problems or don't at all. The same source goes on to say that newer models are more reliable. This is echoed by another source, which states that the earlier Mk4 Golfs (1999-2002) have fewer electronic issues.
Despite these electrical issues, some owners have reported having zero problems with their Mk4 Golfs. One owner states that they have had their Mk4 Golf for over two years with no complaints. Additionally, Mk4 Golfs are known for their comfortable ride, good quality interior, and strong image for durability. They are also very cheap to run, especially the TDI diesel models.
The Mk4 Golf was sold as a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback, a wagon, and a convertible. It was produced from 1998 to 2004 in Europe and continued to be built in Brazil until 2013. During its lifetime, it received multiple awards, including Best Family Car from Top Gear Magazine in 1998 and Best Small Hatch from What Car in the same year. It is still a common sight on the streets of Eastern Europe and South America.
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They are fun to drive
While the Mk4 Golf has a mixed reputation for its reliability, it is generally regarded as a fun car to drive. One owner describes their Mk4 as "a joy to drive", while another says it is "a fun drive every day".
The Mk4 Golf is known for its comfortable ride and good handling. It offers serious road-holding capabilities, with the GT TDI PD 130 model delivering an impressive 52mpg economy. The 170bhp Golf V5 is also praised for the quality of the sound it makes, from a "lovely thrummy noise" to an "F1-like banshee howl" at higher revs.
The Mk4 Golf was sold as a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback, a wagon, and a convertible. Its main competitors included the Opel Astra G, Ford Focus, Peugeot 307, and Honda Civic. Despite being positioned as a more premium offering than its predecessor, the Mk4 Golf still offered a comfortable and well-finished interior.
The Mk4 Golf is also quite versatile, with a range of engine options available. The TDI diesel engines, in particular, are noted for being very cheap to run. Additionally, the Mk4 Golf is known for its strong image and durability, which has contributed to its continued presence on the roads of Eastern Europe and South America many years after its release.
Overall, while the Mk4 Golf may have some reliability concerns, it offers a fun and engaging driving experience that has garnered a dedicated following.
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